AUT celebrates the Y25 list
Twenty-five outstanding young women and non-binary people were this week honoured at the launch event of the YWCA’s 2022 Y25, held at AUT’s City Campus.
AUT is a proud sponsor of the annual Y25 programme which recognises those who are making impressive strides for their communities; trailblazing, raising awareness, speaking up, making a change or fighting for a fairer Aotearoa NZ.
Find out who is part of the Y25 2022 cohort.
Watch the celebratory launch event.
AUT Chief Marketing Officer, Luke Patterson says, ‘AUT congratulates the talented 25 for their exceptional achievements’.
“Our partnership with the YWCA brings to life our shared values, supporting the ideas and aspirations of a very diverse group of young women who are on a journey as community leaders and change-makers in their respective areas,” says Luke.
This year’s Y25 saw 117 nominations, up from 80 in 2021, with 26 percent of the nominations coming from outside the country’s main centres.
As with previous cohorts, the 2022 Y25 includes representation from indigenous, rainbow, neurodiverse and those who live with a disability.
YWCA CEO, Dellwyn Stuart, says the YWCA’s Y25 partnership with AUT is ideal as ‘AUT represents a progressive, modern university that actively upholds inclusion and diversity, such as leading the way amongst New Zealand universities in gaining Rainbow Accreditation well ahead of other tertiary education providers.
“We’re delighted that AUT is supporting young wāhine and irarere (non-binary people) doing incredible things” she says.
Y25 recipients share in a one-year programme with 24 other young women and non-binary people to access the YWCA’s support and opportunities, be supported by partners (AUT, Bell Gully, The Warehouse and Kiwibank), and take part in training.
Y25 2021 participant, Vaiola Tauti, says ‘I’m very thankful for all the doors that have opened and closed for me through this programme. I’m more than confident to say that I’ve grown and learnt so much from this programme, through the gals and the Y whānau’.
If you know a young woman or non-binary person 25 years or under doing incredible things who deserves to be recognised for all that they are achieving, 2023 Y25 programme nominations open in February next year.