Every generation has women who light the path. This night is about them. Six women, six decades, sharing stories of the grandmothers, mentors and icons who showed us what’s possible. It’s not just nostalgia – it’s wisdom, grit and love passed forward. When we honour the women who paved the way, we see more clearly how to walk our own.
If you’ve ever looked up to an older woman and thought, Because of her, I can, this show is for you. You’ll laugh, nod along and leave reminded that strength multiplies when it’s shared across generations.
This event is proudly supported by the City of Sydney and the Older Women’s Network, shining a spotlight on the power and impact of elder women in our lives.
💫 Our Performer Line-up:
Team 20s: Izzy Calero-Rivarola is an AuDHD lesbian mum raising a curious toddler with her wife. She hosts a podcast about neurodivergent motherhood, softness and real life. She creates cozy content, advocates for loving your brain, and chases gentle joy, creativity and community with warm, honest, very queer vibes.
Team 30s: Ais Kelly is originally from Ireland and now based in Sydney. A keen amateur AFL player and LGBTQ+ woman with a background in psychotherapy, she works in technology recruitment while re-upskilling in somatic therapy, with hopes of returning to the field. Her interests centre on identity, belonging and embodied resilience through periods of change.
Team 40s: Sylvie Ellsmore is an elected local councillor on the City of Sydney Council and a part-time karate teacher. She is a feminist and campaigner for affordable housing and inclusion. She lives in the inner city with her partner and two dogs.
Team 50s: Mary Lemonis has more than 30 years’ experience in Human Resources and is currently the Chief People Officer at Built, where she leads people strategy with curiosity, courage, compassion and a focus on sustainable performance. Mary champions culture, engagement and conscious leadership, believing that great leaders embrace complexity, seek the ‘and’ (not the ‘or’) and help individuals find their sweet spot — where purpose, strengths and life align — to create thriving teams and organisations.
Team 60s: Dr Mehreen Faruqi is the Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for NSW. Mehreen became the first Muslim woman to sit in any Australian parliament when she joined the NSW Parliament in 2013. In 2018, she took her proudly feminist and anti-racist approach to Canberra when she joined the federal Senate. In her time in Parliament, Mehreen has been an unflinching voice on social, environmental and racial justice, pushing to dismantle the systems of power, privilege and patriarchy.
Team 70s: Since retiring, Jane Marsden has taught Primary Ethics, been a Tai Chi Instructor, and created/coordinated a float for Mardi Gras’ 40th Anniversary. She was a Founding Director and Chair of The Aurora Group. Now, she swims, walks in the bush and does gig work in the summer as an educational tour leader around Australia.
About Generation Women
Generation Women is a global storytelling movement that celebrates women’s voices across the decades.
Founded in New York in 2017, Generation Women launched in Sydney in 2018 and Melbourne in 2020. Every show features six storytellers — one from each decade of life, from her 20s to her 70s+ — sharing original stories on a shared theme.
Why Generation Women Australia?
Generation Women Australia is proudly award-winning and is the only chapter in the world to offer an ongoing membership program, giving our community even more ways to connect, belong and grow between shows.
This event is proudly presented by Generation Women Australia, founded by Donna Logue, and hosted by Charlie.
Generation Women was originally created by Georgia Clark in New York.
Event Details
📍 The Beresford
354 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2016
🕢 Doors at 6:30 PM
🎤 Show at 7:00 PM
Want to feel even more connected?
✨ Membership is Now Open!
If you love our nights, don’t let the stories stop here. Join Generation Women Australia as a member and be part of the movement all year round.
🎁 What You Get as a Member
✔️ 120 brand-new true stories every year (20 live shows, 6 storytellers per show)
✔️ $1,000+ library included — 30+ full shows on video & audio, instantly
✔️ A searchable story library — find what you need by theme, generation, or mood
✔️ An exclusive member hub — reflect, connect, or simply watch quietly
✔️ 1:1 welcome concierge — real human support to help you settle in
✔️ Member-only bonuses — surprise giveaways + perks
✔️ Discounted tickets — save every time on Sydney & Melbourne live shows
💛 Membership is open right now in Sydney, join us today and make sure women’s voices stay seen, heard, and celebrated.
Already a member? Don’t forget to enter your discount code at checkout for $10 off your ticket.