We are delighted to congratulate Yumi Lee on being awarded the 2025 Cath Leary Social Justice Award in recognition of her exceptional contribution to social justice.
Yumi has worked on women’s rights and violence against women for over 30 years. She began with advocacy for women’s rights in armed conflict and nuclear disarmament. Prior to returning to Sydney and working for the Older Women’s Network, she was based in Hanoi with an organisation supporting street children and rescuing women trafficked to the sex trade in China. She has also supported organisations in Nepal working with marginalised women when she was living there.
As the CEO of Older Women’s Network NSW, she is now advocating and lobbying on issues impacting older women, including housing insecurity and homelessness as well as violence against older women, including in aged care. Yumi also initiated the Employment Pathways program which supports unemployed women over 50 to find work.
Yumi received the Advocacy and Reform Bright Sparks Award of 2021 from the NSW Women’s Legal Service for her work in advocating for the safety of older women.
Yumi is a member of the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission’s Advisory Board and the Federal Attorney General’s Lived-Experience Expert Advisory Group on Sexual Violence
Yumi is driven by a strong sense of social justice, and the belief that our society will be enriched when we have the full participation of those who are currently marginalised. The Mercy Foundation Board, together with Cath’s family, congratulate Yumi on her many achievements, her continued hard work over many years and her significant contribution to social justice in Australia.
Above L – R: Sr Jennifer Ryan RSM, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney, Yumi Lee, recipient of the Cath Leary Award, Dr Jennifer Leary, Annabel Senior, Chair of the Mercy Foundation, Sue Mowbray, CEO Mercy Foundation.
