The Australian of the Year for 2013 has been announced… and it’s a woman!

This year’s proud winner is Ita Buttrose. You may recognize her name from her work raising awareness for HIV/Aids, breast and prostate cancer. She also serves as the President of the Australian Alzheimer’s Association and Vice-President Emeritus of Arthritis Australia.

Being an Australian native myself, this is especially good news for me. And as a woman, even better! It’s about time, too.

The last time this title was held by a woman was in 2005 by plastic surgeon, Fiona Wood. Before that, only 10 other women have taken this honor (not including Melbourne folk band, the Seekers, who won the joint prize in 1967).

Buttrose’s mantra is “Love your enemies. It drives them mad”, advice given to her by the late, legendary media mogul, Kerry Packer. Fitting words, considering the many battles that Ita has had to face as a woman in a predominantly male field. Ita was the founding editor of the largely popular Australian magazine Cleo. This feat gained her a seat as the first female to sit on the board of News Ltd.

It’s Ita’s drive and determination that has carried her through trying times, citing incidents of “open antagonism” from other male editors in the publishing industry. She has worked for nearly every major media house in Australia. As a single, working mother, her accomplishments are doubly remarkable.

In her own words: “The only limitations are the ones we put on ourselves.” With that, we raise our glass to our latest inspiration, Ita Buttrose – a very special woman!