Everyday heroes: Therese Women's Prize celebrates strong women from Vienna!

Everyday heroes: Therese Women's Prize celebrates strong women from Vienna!

The Therese Women's Prize will be awarded in Vienna on November 30, 2025, an event entirely dedicated to honoring women who are actively making things happen and changing the world. The prize, which has been awarded every two years since 2011, honors women from a wide range of areas: from art and science to crafts and entrepreneurship to social commitment and feminism. “It's about making women's work visible, regardless of whether it is paid or unpayable,” explains the initiator of the prize. The aim is to create role models who inspire and motivate others to take action. The evening promises to be inspiring and full of energy as the honorees step into the spotlight.

The event will take place at the English Theater and there is already a lot of interest in the nominations. A few things are obvious: At a time when equality and women's rights are more in focus than ever, it is important to celebrate such initiatives and make them visible. Especially in comparison to other events, such as the Graz Women's Prize, which was recently awarded in June 2025, the Therese Women's Prize is another sign of the appreciation of the commitment of women in our society.

Making a statement in Graz

The Graz Women's Prize 2025, which was awarded on June 3rd, took place in the atmospheric setting of the casemates on the Schlossberg. Three initiatives were honored, including Maryam Mohammadi for outstanding commitment and Heide Cortolezis for her life's work. Luise Höggerl and Marie Waser were also honored for their project. The city councilors and many members of the city's politics attended this celebratory meeting, which underlines the importance of equality in Graz.

The event was a testament to the importance of hearing women's voices and recognizing their achievements. Mayor Elke Kahr and many other political representatives were present to celebrate the award winners. Such initiatives are essential to raise awareness of equality and justice in society.

Equality as a motor for growth

A look beyond national borders shows that equality for women also has an important status at the European level. A report from the European Investment Bank highlights the importance of reducing systemic barriers to women's economic participation. In the EU, the proportion of women in leadership positions is only 34 percent, and women-led start-ups are particularly rare. If we give women the right tools and resources, we can not only promote equity, but also spur economic growth - experts speak of a potential $700 billion increase in revenue for financial services companies worldwide.

These developments show that companies with a higher proportion of women in leadership often achieve better environmental, social and governance outcomes. The pressure to promote equality in companies therefore has not only social but also economic dimensions, all of which benefit. The Therese Women's Prize and similar awards do their part to bring these issues to the forefront and encourage women in various sectors.

So let’s celebrate the achievements and influence of women in Vienna and beyond! The Therese Women's Prize is not just an award, but a celebration of possibilities and a step towards a fairer future.