Female Leadership: JTLeadLikeAGirl Stories

In communities across Australia, First Nations girls are rising—with pride, power, and
purpose. They are future changemakers, storytellers, educators, healers, and leaders. But to
fully step into these roles, they need more than potential—they need platforms. That’s where
JTLeadLikeAGirl, a signature leadership initiative under the Johnathan Thurston
Academy, is making its mark.

JTLeadLikeAGirl is designed to celebrate, nurture, and unleash the leadership potential of
Indigenous girls across Australia. Grounded in cultural strength, emotional resilience, and
personal empowerment, the program offers a safe, inclusive space where First Nations young
women are encouraged to lead with confidence—on their terms.

This article explores the importance of Indigenous women leadership programs, highlights
the approach and impact of JTLeadLikeAGirl, and shares stories of girls transforming their
lives, families, and communities through leadership.

Why Indigenous Women’s Leadership Matters

For generations, Indigenous women have been at the forefront of caring for Country,
preserving culture, leading community decisions, and raising generations. Yet, they have
often been underrepresented in mainstream leadership and public discourse.

Today, Indigenous girls still face barriers such as:

• Cultural marginalisation and historical trauma
• Gender bias layered with racial discrimination
• Low representation in education, politics, and business leadership
• Limited visibility of female Indigenous role models

Despite these challenges, First Nations girls carry the strength of their ancestors—and
programs like JTLeadLikeAGirl are helping them channel it into leadership that reflects who
they are and where they come from.

About JTLeadLikeAGirl

JTLeadLikeAGirl is a leadership and empowerment initiative created by the Johnathan
Thurston Academy (JTA) to uplift and inspire the next generation of Indigenous female
leaders. It focuses on helping girls develop self-belief, communication skills, resilience,
cultural pride, and leadership capabilities—equipping them for school, work, and life.

Key Features:

• Identity-affirming workshops
• Female Indigenous mentors and role models
• Public speaking and storytelling sessions
• Goal-setting and vision mapping
• Practical skills like digital literacy and career planning
• Ongoing engagement beyond the workshops

The program is not just about being a leader in the conventional sense—it’s about leading in
your own way, whether that’s at school, in sport, within your family, or for community
change.

Empowering Through Cultural Strength

Unlike one-size-fits-all leadership programs, JTLeadLikeAGirl centres Indigenous culture
and lived experience. It’s grounded in the idea that leadership can look different when filtered
through community values, storytelling, and Country connection.

• Respect for Elders and Community: Girls are taught that leadership starts with
  listening and honouring knowledge passed down.
• Connection to Culture: Whether through language, dance, art, or Dreaming stories,
  cultural identity is treated as a foundation for self-worth and strength.
• Understanding Intersectionality: The program acknowledges the unique challenges
  faced by Indigenous girls and celebrates the strength found in dual identities.

What Sets JTLeadLikeAGirl Apart

• Led By Indigenous Women
  The facilitators, speakers, and mentors are strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait
  Islander women who bring lived wisdom and relatability. Representation
  matters—and this program makes sure girls see themselves reflected in every role.
• Safe and Nurturing Spaces
  JTLeadLikeAGirl provides culturally safe environments for girls to open up, share
  stories, and build bonds of sisterhood without judgment.
• Future-Focused, Yet Grounded in Now
  Participants explore future career paths and education goals, while also learning tools
  to manage real-time challenges like peer pressure, bullying, and anxiety.
• Celebration of Femininity and Strength
  The program dismantles outdated notions that leadership must be loud or dominant. It
  embraces empathy, creativity, and collaboration as equally powerful forms of
  leadership.

Real Stories from JTLeadLikeAGirl

Maddie, 15, from Central Queensland

Shy and withdrawn at first, Maddie found her voice during a storytelling session. With
encouragement, she stood up and spoke about her dream of becoming a nurse. Today, she’s a
student leader and volunteer in her community health centre.

Keira, 17, from Northern Territory

Keira always felt out of place at school—until JTLeadLikeAGirl helped her realise that her
strength lies in mentoring others. She now leads a cultural group at school and plans to study
Indigenous education.

Sienna, 13, from Western Sydney

Bullied for her background and skin colour, Sienna found pride in her identity through
cultural workshops. She now shares her experiences through poetry and has been invited to
speak at her school assembly.

These are not exceptions. They’re examples of what’s possible when Indigenous girls are
seen, heard, and supported.

Building Stronger Futures Through Female Leadership

JTLeadLikeAGirl does more than lift up individuals—it plants seeds for generational change.

Impacts Observed:

• Boost in self-confidence and school attendance
• Greater participation in student councils and leadership teams
• Increased aspirations for higher education and skilled trades
• Improved mental health and emotional resilience
• Stronger community connection and involvement

When Indigenous girls lead, they carry entire communities forward—blending traditional
knowledge with modern skillsets to create change from the inside out.

Key Themes Embedded in the Program

• 1. Strength in Culture
  First Nations girls are taught that leadership can be soft or strong, but always
  culturally grounded.
• 2. Storytelling and Voice
  Every girl’s story matters. Public speaking and creative expression allow them to
  shape their narrative and inspire others.
• 3. Role Model Circles
  Regular interaction with Indigenous women leaders—from business, health,
  education, and the arts—opens new paths for girls to envision their futures.
• 4. Sisterhood and Support
  Peer-to-peer encouragement creates lasting bonds and reduces isolation, especially for
  girls from remote areas.
• 5. Healing and Self-Worth
  Emotional well-being is front and centre. Girls are taught how to process grief, shame,
  and pressure with tools that honour both mental health and cultural healing.

Expanding the Reach of Indigenous Women Leadership Programs

Australia needs more programs like JTLeadLikeAGirl. Whether government-funded, school-
supported, or community-led, such initiatives offer immense value.

Key Strategies for Expansion:

• Funding Indigenous-Led Initiatives
  Programs designed by First Nations women for First Nations girls are the most
  effective and sustainable.
• Regional and Remote Delivery
  Bringing these experiences to isolated communities through mobile teams and digital
  delivery.
• School Partnerships
  Integrating JTLeadLikeAGirl into secondary school leadership programs to normalise
  Indigenous girls in leadership roles.
• Alumni Networks
  Creating post-program support systems where past participants mentor the next
  generation.

How Schools and Communities Can Get Involved

If you’re part of a school, council, non-profit, or business, you can support Indigenous women
leadership programs in several ways:

• Host JTLeadLikeAGirl workshops or speaker sessions
• Sponsor a group of girls to participate
• Provide transport, meals, or venues for program delivery
• Mentor participants post-program
• Donate culturally relevant materials and supplies

Collaboration is key—and everyone has a role to play in fostering strong First Nations
women leaders.

The Bigger Picture: From Grassroots to National Stage

It’s time Indigenous women leadership programs receive national spotlight—not as charity,
but as central to Australia’s social, cultural, and economic future. Investing in girls like those
in JTLeadLikeAGirl means:

• More Indigenous voices in parliament and policymaking
• More cultural leaders in classrooms and media
• More entrepreneurs, artists, and educators
• Stronger, more inclusive communities for all

Lead Like a Girl, Lead Like a Queen

JTLeadLikeAGirl is more than a program—it’s a revolution of rising voices, rooted in
Country, carried by culture, and lit by self-belief. In a world where Indigenous girls are too
often doubted or dismissed, JTLeadLikeAGirl dares to say: you are worthy, you are
powerful, and your time to lead is now.

And as First Nations girls across Australia step forward with pride, strength, and clarity, they
remind us of something timeless: that leadership isn’t about power—it’s about purpose.