Seddon’s Anastasia Le was last week inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for 2025 under the change agent category.
When asked what change she was being honoured for in particular, the 36-year-old gave an answer that was both sweeping and succinct.
“It’s across everything as a transgender person, a woman of colour and also as an asylum seeker and of immigrant background,” said Ms Le who is the first transgender women of colour to be inducted into the honour roll.
As much as she’s a change agent herself, Ms Le has been honoured for her work to bring about positive change for others from similarly marginalised backgrounds.
Ms Le has worked on visibility campaigns, media and policy to help foster inclusion for the LGBTIQA+, migrant, and disability communities, with a particular focus on those impacted by overlapping forms of injustice.
She is also on the board of the Victorian Pride Centre and a radio presenter on JOY 94.9.
After fighting so long for the inclusion for others, Ms Le’s own inclusion on the honour roll left her overwhelmed.
“I wanted to cry, simply because I’ve never seen anybody like me recognised,” she said of her induction at a ceremony on September 2.
“The visibility was never there.”
While she was still processing the enormity of the honour, Ms Le said she hoped her induction would be followed by many more women with similar backgrounds.
“Yes, paving the way forward for others.”
