Sonam Choden: ACT Woman of the Year


Released 23/08/2021

Sonam Choden is the 2021 ACT Woman of the Year for her work at Calvary Public Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since migrating from Bhutan, where English is not her first language, she supports her husband and two teenage children as they study on student visas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonam led her colleagues to achieve secure jobs and fair wages for the women employed as essential workers.

Sonam is an incredible woman who has brought awareness to women who have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and advanced gender equality and respect for migrant women in her workplace.

Congratulations also to Dhani Gilbert who was named the 2021 ACT Young Woman of the Year and to Liz Stephens who was named the 2021 ACT Senior Woman of the Year.

Dhani is a proud Wiradjuri woman who is focused on achieving just and sustainable outcomes for Country, community, and young people. Dhani is an exceptional community activator and advocate, she contributes to improving the lives women and girls in the ACT through her active contributions to the Canberra community.

Liz has made an outstanding contribution to improving the lives of queer women through her organisation and coordination of events and bringing together the community through her work at Diversity ACT. Liz is a positive, tireless community volunteer for the queer community who has brought women together to connect and make friends for life.

Congratulations to all the nominees of the 2021 ACT Women’s Awards for their outstanding contributions to our community.

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Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases

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