Copyrights retained by Yirra Miya

‘Strong Women Strong Business – Growing Future Generations’ By Wiradjuri Artist, Leticia Forbes

This artwork embodies the essence of what the Strong Women, Strong Business Program means for the women who are on their business journey, the support they receive, and the futures they create. It is about embracing knowledges shared from generation to generation and building legacy. It is about overcoming challenges and healing collectively in strength and resilience. It is about the connection, sense of belonging, and self-empowerment that grows within the women involved as leaders, knowledge-sharers, business owners, and as matriarchs.

The elements featured within the artwork include three generations of women on their journeys and leading the path for the next, coming together and grounded on a woven mat. Weaving is a cultural practice shared amongst our women and within this artwork it reflects the women intertwining layers of themselves with knowledge and their connections to culture, Country, and each other, as they sit together (women symbols surrounding) and continue weaving their futures for themselves and for the generations to come. This is guided by thousands of years of knowledge sharing across Nations — to learn, grow, and share.

Above the women are waterways, reflecting how our waters provide rejuvenation, revitalisation, and sharing collectively in strength and resilience that stems from our waters all across Country. Our waterways fuel our future generations and help maintain the life of Mother Earth. The waters are layered upon journey lines and women symbols connecting to the power of our women in protecting them and caring for Country and our people. Surrounding the waterways are planted seeds, wattle flowers, and growing leaves. They acknowledge women growing in their businesses, within their communities, and within themselves – blooming along their journeys. In the top left corner is a community circle honouring the communities that women in business make impact within.