SSI Board member Elfa Moraitakis is Blacktown City Woman of the Year

SSI Board member Elfa Moraitakis, centre, is Blacktown City women of the Year 2017. Photo source: Blacktown Sun.

She has over 25 years of experience in community services and an extensive background in developing services for linguistically disadvantaged communities.

The announcement was made during Blacktown City Council’s 12th International Women’s Day event and recognised the outstanding achievement of women within the local community.

Nominees for Woman of the Year were required to reflect the principles of International Women’s Day which:

• celebrate the achievements of local women in paid or unpaid work
• support women’s work in promoting equality, justice, peace and social development across the community
• support the full participation of women in political, economic and social life
• promote and encourage diversity
• promote gender equality and the empowerment of women

Mayor Stephen Bali said Ms Moraitakis, selected from six finalists, embodied the IWD motto of “be bold for change”.

Ms Moraitakis’ message as she accepted the award was: “Believe in yourself – empowered women lead the world.”

As the leader of one of western Sydney’s largest community organisations, she said she considered it her responsibility to identify gaps in the community.

“The two major areas affecting women are domestic violence and employment, and we are working with council and the police to address those issues.

“Before we can talk about better pay and equality, we need to work on educating and empowering women.

“We need to do it together with men; we can’t do it alone.”

“I feel honoured to win such an award among so many successful, talented women in the community,” she said.

Ms Moraitakis said her aim was to continue her community work tirelessly to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged members of Western Sydney had a voice.

“A huge thank you to my colleagues at SydWest and to all those that supported me throughout the years. Thank you to Blacktown City Council for organising such an important event.”