Year 11/12 runner-up: Tamara Lennon, Trinity Catholic School

“Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” In 1942, a thirteen-year-old girl fleeing persecution began to write a diary. Today the words of Anne Frank have reached millions of people worldwide, and have made a difference in society. Making a difference is about sharing yourself with the world. Sharing your potential. Your talent. And advocating for a change. One can change the world with passion for equality and a belief in a better future. For making a difference means making it different. And this is what matters in society today.

In the global community, gender inequality has lead to an inequality within the health system. Today, more than 15 million women worldwide are living with HIV, and approximately 530 000 women die each year during pregnancy or childbirth.

Numerous health and social factors combine to create a lower quality of life for women. In many societies women are disadvantaged by discrimination and unequal access to information, care and basic health practices.

Worldwide, of the 1.3 billion poor, 70% are women. Poverty is an important barrier to break to move towards positive health outcomes for society.

As global citizens it is our duty to advocate for change, to improve society through the improvement of health. The area of health is a passion of mine. In my Immersion to the Solomon Islands, I experienced first hand gender inequality. I was confronted with the poor health services and opportunities offered to the communities. In living the life of the locals, my passion for social justice and equality intensified. I am determined to make a difference. To play my part in achieving health equality. For no one should be sick or die because of gender inequality.

Making a difference means sharing your thoughts, hopes and passions with the world. In sharing yourself, you give something of greater worth to society.

In her time spent hiding from the German authorities in a hidden Annexe, Anne Frank wrote her diary strictly for herself. However wanting to bring attention to the suffering of people under the German occupation, Anne decided that when the war was over she would publish a book based on her diary. But on the 4th August 1944, the diary abruptly ends as the eight people hiding in the Annexe were arrested. In the winter of 1945, Anne died due to the horrendous hygiene conditions in a concentration camp. But her words live on. Her father, Otto Frank published Anne’s work and in doing so brought her message to the world.

Through her diary, Anne shared herself with the world. Her deepest thoughts and true emotions have made a difference. People have become aware of the suffering caused by injustice and inequality. Anne changed the world with words. And this matters.

Every person has the ability to make a difference. To impact on the life of an individual, a community, or the world at large. We all have the power to think positively, and make change possible. In society today, gender inequality, especially in the area of health, needs improvement. It is our responsibility to make this happen. Making a difference is an individual choice to be involved in something of great importance. In today’s society, making a difference is what matters. I believe one can make a difference by sharing themselves with the world. Know your potential and hope for the future. And “don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains” – Anne Frank.