100 Women of Influence

Women of Influence

In honour of World WIZO’s 100th birthday celebrations in July 2020, WIZO NSW is proud to recognise the most influential, inspirational and visionary women of the past century.

1. Gal Gadot

Gal is the Israeli girl turned Hollywood star who’s inspiring young Jewish girls everywhere. Born in 1985 in Rosh HaAyin, Gal’s life changed when she ...

2. Golda Meir

A list of this kind simply has to have our Golda on it. Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, she was the first woman to be elected ...

3. Sheryl Sandberg

Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, has inspired a generation with her best-selling books, ‘Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead’ & ‘Option B: Facing ...

4. Hannah Szenes

Hannah Szenes: Poet, Special Operations Executive and national heroine in Israel, where several streets, a kibbutz and the headquarters of the Zionist Youth Movement bear ...

5. Pink

Before she was one of the world’s best-selling artists, Pink was an aspiring young Jewish singer known as Alecia Moore. The singer broke out in ...

6. Dr Ruth Westheimer

This German sex therapist is better known as ‘Dr Ruth’, and her widely published advice on all things to do with sexuality has made her ...

7. Hedy Lamarr

Described by director Max Reinhart as ‘the most beautiful woman in Europe’, Hedy Lamarr was the Austrian-American Jewess whose wartime films made her one of ...

8. Betty Wilkenfeld

From Ballet shoes to Israeli welfare, Betty was single minded, committed and passionate. Arriving as a young girl in Australia in the 30’s and working ...

9. Susan Wojcicki

Susan Wojcicki is one of the biggest names in tech, as one of Google’s founding team and current CEO of digital giant, YouTube. Born in ...

10. Helena Glaser

Honorary President World WIZO, President World Zionist Council, and a Member of the Jewish Agency Board of Governors, Helena Glaser is the epitome of generosity, ...

11. Estée Lauder

Who hasn’t used an Estée Lauder product at least once in their lifetime? Lauder’s company has endured as one of the world’s most prominent cosmetics ...

12. Raya Jaglom

Raya Jaglom was the second-longest serving president of World WIZO, a tireless fundraiser who maintained her connection to our organisation until her death, aged 98. ...

13. Joan Rivers

Comedian, actress, writer, producer, TV host – Joan Rivers wore many hats in her 81 years. Born Joan Alexander Molinsky, she authored 12 best-selling books ...

14. Rose Toms

Rose Toms is the President of WIZO Kesher on the Sunshine Coast. Kesher is a non-Jewish group of women who are active members of WIZO ...

15. Nigella Lawson

Nigella Lawson is the ‘domestic goddess’ who captivates audiences around the world with her best-selling recipe books and inimitable cooking demos. Born in 1960 to ...

16. Gilla Liberman

Gilla Liberman was one of the foundation members of NSW WIZO Yaffa in the late 70s. A teacher by profession, her interest in children’s wellbeing ...

17. Barbra Streisand

Our Barbra isn’t just one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. She’s the writer, producer & star of one of the greatest Jewish ...

18. Rony Bognar OAM

Born in Israel, and the child of Holocaust survivors, Rony has constantly worked and volunteered in Jewish organisations for the betterment of the Sydney Jewish ...