Making a feminist difference to women in NSW and ACT, Australia.
Venue
Sydney Trades Hall
First award
1998
Final award
2023
The Edna Ryan Awards, also referred to as simply "The EDNAs", were Australian awards established to recognise women who have "made a feminist difference" in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. They are named for activist Edna Ryan, after her death in 1998. The last awards were given in 2023, with awards being discontinued in 2024.
History
The inaugural Edna Ryan Awards were held in 1998, the year following the death of their namesake Edna Ryan. Ryan was a life-long feminist, labour movement activist, and mentor and role model for a whole generation of women.[1] The awards were created to honour her life and work by a group of her friends, particularly Eva Cox and other members of the Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL).[2]
Ryan had been closely involved with WEL, particularly the Women in the Workforce group which she convened.[3] WEL hosted and administered the EDNAs from 1998 to 2010, but from 2012 they were administered by The Edna Ryan Awards Committee and hosted by the Australian Services Union (ASU). In 2020 the Older Women's Network (OWN) NSW took over hosting the awards.[4][2]
Since their inception the awards have recognised many high-profile Australian women for their feminist activity, including Eva Cox, Meredith Burgmann, Susan Ryan, Anne Summers, Wendy McCarthy, Jane Caro, and Sally McManus. Many of the recipients have been tireless advocates for women's rights who worked as community activists over a long period with very little other reward or recognition.[5][6]
In 2024, following the deaths of both of Edna's daughters, the decision was taken to discontinue these awards.[7]
Eligibility and description
Nominees for the awards must be comfortable identifying as a feminist and must live or work in NSW or the ACT as Ryan did during her lifetime. A panel reviews all nominations and the awards are presented on an annual basis at an evening social event.[8]
The award categories can vary but in later years there were awards in many fields, including workforce, government, arts, community activism, media/communications, leadership, mentoring, sport, and education.[9]
The awards are not intended as simply recognition of women who are successful in their own field, but require evidence that their achievements or actions have made a feminist difference by improving the lives and status of women within the community. The "Grand Stirrer Award" is for inciting others to challenge the status quo.[citation needed]
^Hutton, Marg, ed. (1997). Edna Ryan Remembered. New International Bookshop Cooperative. ISBN0646330489.
^ a b"History of the Awards". Edna Ryan Awards. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020.
^Bielski, Joan (July 2005). "The History, Organisation and Achievements of WEL NSW" (PDF). Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^"Driving on roads is not enough". City of Sydney - What's On. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
^"Women's advocate smashed educational barriers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^"Joyce Stevens: tireless activist for women's and workers' rights". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^"The Edna Ryan Awards - A celebration of women who make a feminist difference". Edna Ryan Awards. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
^"Nominations | Edna Ryan Awards". www.ednaryan.net.au. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^"Awards 1998 onwards | Edna Ryan Awards". www.ednaryan.net.au. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
^"Liza Buckley, winner of the 2025 Edna Ryan Award for Outstanding Female Delegate in Local Government | United Services Union". 2 October 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
^"Congratulations to 2024 Edna Ryan Award Winner, Vicki Hodges | United Services Union". Retrieved 20 December 2025.
^"Winner of feminist "Grand Stirrer" Award announced on air". ABC listen. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ a b"Edna Ryan Award wins for Y Canberra women". YWCA Canberra. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
^"Saba Vasefi receives Edna Ryan Award". Asylum Seekers Centre. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
^"2013 Edna Ryan Award". ANU College of Law. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
