Ash Barty Ace player Queenslander Ashle g y is the No. 1 tennis player in the world in singles, ranked by the Women’s Tennis Association. At 23, the young Indigenous Australian is also the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia. Her No. 1 title was years in the making: Ash has been playing tennis since she was four years old, she competed in the Australian Open as a teen and has been working hard ever since. Ash is super talented and bighearted. The sports star loves dogs and has four ‘fluff balls’ at home (awww). She became an RSPCA ambassador in 2018 and in 2019 donated her $10,000 Fed Cup Heart Award winnings to the animal organisation – with plans to donate more. Our kinda gal.
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LILLIAN AHENKAN MTV presenter / DJ / ‘Mrs Claus’ You radiate confidence. Where does it come from? It came from my mum first. When I was younger, about the age of people reading this, my mum affirmed me. She made me feel comfortable with myself because if I was ever focusing on my flaws she would say things like, “Well, you’re very beautiful to me” and “I like your gap teeth”, and “I’m proud you’re my daughter”. Then, later on, someone in my life said, “When you meet people who rub you the wrong way, figure out what it is you’re not loving about them and then make sure you’re not that person for somebody else.” I found it difficult to be around people who were self-doubting, because it made me think about things I didn’t like about myself. Speaking positively about myself built up my confidence.
How can a girl find her own strength and power? Figure out who you are and what makes you, you. That is your own power. My power comes from being able to articulate myself, but that’s not necessarily good or beneficial for everyone. Your power can come from being quieter. Or from being kind. There’s power in being patient, in being a good listener, in being understanding. What career advice would you give a girl who’s just starting high school? Make two lists. The first list has stuff you love to do now: baking cakes, walking dogs. The second list is a sensible list – things at school you’re good at. Like if your teacher says you’re good at maths. Throughout high school, keep updating those lists, being
