Young Rotarian models leadership in Australia
By Katie Hills
The Rotarian -- April 2012
Holly Ransom, 22, is president-elect of the Rotary Club of Crawley, Australia.
Photo by Frances Andrijich
During her first year at college, Holly Ransom, a member of the Rotary Club of Crawley, Australia, noticed that a lack of role models was demoralizing her female friends.
“Unfortunately, if you’re looking to the media, you’re struggling for female role models other than celebrities going in and out of rehab,” she says.
In 2009, she founded Women Who Lead, a nonprofit that aims to provide positive examples and foster leadership skills.
A year ago, she joined the Crawley club and learned that only 2 percent of Rotarians are under age 30, and 16 percent are women.
“I couldn’t get those statistics out of my head,” the 22-year-old says. She told David Goldstone, one of the club’s charter members, that she wanted to get more involved; soon after, Ransom became president-elect.
She’ll take office in 2012-13, shortly after graduating from the University of Western Australia with a degree in law and economics.
“Our club members are so different in composition and mindset,” she says. “It’s invigorating to be a part of the energy in the room every time we’re together.”
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