Capital Chemist thanks their amazing Women Leaders on International Women’s Day.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’. This has been an unofficial theme at Capital Chemist Group for decades, with female pharmacists driving innovation and success in tour pharmacy group.

I look back on my 25-year history with the group: there was never any edict or decree that female pharmacists should be given preferential treatment, It just happened organically.

We have an amazing group of women in our organisation that has delivered extraordinary results over the years, including National Pharmacy of the Year winners (Samantha kourtis at Charnwood, Rebecca Young at Chisholm), two category winners in the same competition (Elise Apolloni and Honor Penprase at Wanniassa, Louise McLean and Stacey Fuller at Southlands), multiple nominees and finalists culminating with another finalist at the 2024 awards in a week’s time (again for the team at Southlands). All of these pharmacies are owned and managed by women; they all excel in every aspect, whether it be business management, innovation or the provision of excellent healthcare.”

I am very proud of the fact that our group defies the industry norm; Two-thirds of our owner pharmacists are female. Our Board Chair is female. 80% of our support office staff and management team are female. The Capital Chemist Board Chair is a woman, and has been held by women since its inauguration; Sandra Ferrington from Capital Chemist Kingston and Cathy Rice from Capital Chemist Kambah

The group’s success on the national stage isn’t limited to the The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National Pharmacy of the Year awards; multiple pharmacies and multiple pharmacists have won other awards in recent years, including Small Business Awards (local and national), Pharmacist of the Year awards, intern awards, and Businesswomen of the Year awards.

It is rewarding to be a part of a total team that is a true reflection of itself from juniors in store, all the way through assistants, pharmacists, with subsequent impacts on ownership and leadership in various parts of the group

The group’s commitment to female leadership spreads across their community program managed by Melita Flynn with significant support being given to women and women’s health issues including:

Fearless Women - helping girls and young women in the ACT fear less and live life with confidence, courage, resilience, and hope

Bosom Buddies ACT – providing support to breast cancer patients and their families

Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT – providing support, advice and domestic violence resources in Canberra and surrounds

Karinya House for Mothers & Babies – providing safety, shelter and a positive support network to women at risk

Lifeline Australia ACT Women in Spirit Awards – showcasing inspirational, strong and courage our women of the Canberra Community

Pink Hope – a charity to support and educate people at risk of cancer due to genetic risk

Netball ACT - Junior Championships

Cricket ACT - Thunder Girl’s League