WA Women's Hall of Fame 2026 Celebrates Sixteen Inspirational Inductees
In a prestigious ceremony, sixteen outstanding women have been inducted into the WA Women's Hall of Fame for 2026, honoured for their trailblazing efforts in creating lasting social, economic, and cultural change across Western Australia. These inductees have made significant contributions through educational pathways, community building, and advocacy, inspiring women statewide with their dedication and leadership.
Profiles of Key Inductees and Their Impactful Work
Among the inductees, Carol Pettersen OAM has been recognised for her lifelong advocacy in providing opportunities for women. Born at Gnowangerup Mission and raised in Jerramungup, Ms Pettersen expressed honour at the recognition but emphasised that her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing ideas spread through communities and create positive changes. "It's incredible that the things that are norms now just weren't available to women before," she remarked. At 85 years old, she helped break barriers for women in nontraditional roles, enabling women to become firefighters, truck drivers, and access TAFE qualifications previously reserved for men. She also advocated for women in prison and secured rights for widows to access their husband's superannuation.
Megan McCracken, a business leader and gender equity advocate, described her induction as "surreal" and a huge honour. She has worked quietly to promote systemic change in gender equality, particularly in male-dominated industries, and hopes her recognition encourages others that even subtle efforts can drive progress. "I'm proud of working with systemic change in gender equality, and I do that quite quietly, so I don't expect it to be recognised," she said.
Professor Roz Walker, with 40 years of experience working with Aboriginal communities in education and research, found it humbling to be recognised for work she loves. Her efforts at the Ngangk Yira Institute for Change have led to improvements in health services, such as supporting women birthing on Noongar Boodja and addressing issues like wet cough and skin disease. "Knowing that the findings and outcomes from that work have actually worked to see changes in the health services it's really heartening," Professor Walker noted.
Rabia Siddique, a humanitarian advocate, lawyer, author, and speaker, has been a trailblazer throughout her career. As the first Muslim school captain of a Uniting Church school, the youngest Federal prosecutor in Australia, and the first woman of colour and Muslim officer in the British Army legal corps, she survived a hostage crisis in Iraq and challenged institutional discrimination in a landmark legal case. Reflecting on her induction, she said, "As a woman of mixed heritage, and someone whose life has been shaped by both adversity and opportunity, this honour feels very humbling."
Full List of 2026 Inductees and Their Contributions
The 2026 WA Women's Hall of Fame inductees include a diverse group of leaders from various fields:
- Janine Ban, Ballet Director, Teacher, Coach
- Sue Starcken BA (Hons) MA, Artist, Academic, Curator & Writer
- Mala Haji-Ali JP, CEO Broome Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Megan McCracken, Business Leader & Gender Equity Advocate
- Deb Wilkes, Community Leader
- Rabia Siddique, Humanitarian, Advocate, Author and Speaker
- Carol Pettersen OAM JP, Cultural Advocate & Author
- Rosemary Walley, Noongar Cultural Leader
- Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott, Educator
- Emerita Professor Margaret Nowak AM, Educator
- Dr. Danuta Sampson, Health Researcher and Educator
- Professor Roz Walker PhD, Senior Principal Research Fellow (Aboriginal Health)
- Kate Bevilaqua, Triathlete Champion
- Penny Tanner Hoath BAppSc, Football Advocate
- Professor Archa Fox, Scientist and Educator
- Donna Buckley BSc, Grad DipEd Murd, President Mathematics Association of WA
Posthumous inductees were also honoured for their enduring legacies:
- Shirley Thorn AM JP (1935-2025), Agricultural Community Advocate
- Simone McMahon AM (1982-2023), Transplant Advocate
- Harriet (Ettie) Hooton (1875-1960), Women's Rights Activist
- Margaret Cockman OAM CSTJ (1931-2023), Community Volunteer
These women have collectively advanced gender equality, implemented systemic change, advocated for human rights, and led by example to embolden future generations. Their work spans from creating educational opportunities to building resilient communities, leaving a profound and lasting impact on Western Australia's landscape.
