“This is an exceptional book about exceptional individuals who have achieved extraordinary things.”
— Chris Richardson, one of Australia’s most respected and influential economists, formerly a partner at Deloitte Access Economics and a former senior official at key economic institutions including the Australian Treasury and the International Monetary Fund. At Deloitte, Chris served as a lead author of the Business Outlook and Budget Monitor for over 25 years. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in recognition of his contributions to Australia’s public policy and economic debate, and received the University of Sydney Economics Medal for his outstanding academic achievements.

“This book tells the stories of 16 women who, over more than two centuries, have helped us understand how the Australian economy works, how it has evolved, and how better‑designed economic policies can make it function even more effectively. I hope these stories will inspire more women to follow in their footsteps.”
— Saul Eslake, renowned economist and former Chief Economist of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and Merrill Lynch Australia.

“This ‘dull science’ has been brought to life. It turns out that women have always been part of economics; we simply hadn’t had the chance to notice them until now. This long‑overdue book seeks to correct that oversight. Vivid and meticulously researched, it ensures that women economists will no longer remain invisible.”
— Sheryle Bagwell, a veteran Australian financial journalist and broadcaster, formerly Business and Economics Editor at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with decades of reporting on Australian and global economic issues.

“This book truly lives up to its title by empowering us with numbers: 16 outstanding women are profiled here; 18 years have passed since the first woman became Chief Economist at an Australian bank; and 2025 marks the year when women will head all three of Australia’s major economic institutions. A total of 228 pages of inspiring reading.”
— Michelle Ryan, Australian psychologist and scholar, formerly Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology at the University of Exeter. She is best known for coining the term “glass cliff” with her colleague Alex Haslam, which describes how women who break through the glass ceiling face challenges distinct from their male counterparts.

“This book shows how real economists improve the lives of ordinary people, and it is deeply inspiring. If you’re still wondering whether you can make a difference, this book will give you clarity.”
— Peter Martin, a veteran Australian economic journalist and columnist, who has served as an official in the Commonwealth Treasury and as editor of the economics pages at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

“This book offers a unique perspective, delving into the personal careers of some of our leading economists.”
— John Kehoe, Economics Editor at The Australian Financial Review, and a former Economic Analyst at the Australian Treasury.

“Australia’s economic history has been dominated by tales of sheep, miners, and men. Women, their contributions to the nation’s economic development, and their role in shaping economic policy have long been marginalized. Yet this book brings them to the forefront, revealing the vital importance of their work to the way Australians live.”
— Shane Wright, a senior economics reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, renowned for his in‑depth reporting and analysis of the Australian economy.

★ Economists and government executives Melissa Bray and Katie Bradbury team up to conduct in-depth interviews, chronicling the stories of 16 women economists who broke through—from zero to one—in a male-dominated field, capturing their journey from being met with skepticism to becoming leaders in their own right.
★ Michelle Ryan, former professor of social and organizational psychology at the University of Exeter and the originator of the “glass cliff” concept, Chris Richardson, one of Australia’s most respected and influential economists and recipient of the Centenary Medal, Saul Eslake, former chief economist of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, along with numerous top journalists, economists, and academic researchers in the field, all offer their endorsements.
★ The “she power” of the economics community! Invisible ceilings, the glass cliff, pay gaps, workplace isolation… they confront the very challenges faced by professional women worldwide. From central banks to finance ministries, they wield economic tools to reshape policies on education, healthcare, employment, and other issues of public concern. Going beyond academia, they use concrete action to demonstrate the human touch and social responsibility embedded in economic policymaking, ensuring that the fruits of economic progress are truly felt by ordinary people.

Pioneers are shaping our future!
This marks the first time in Australian history that three of the country’s top economic institutions—the Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and the Productivity Commission—have been led by women economists.
This book celebrates their achievements, featuring not only Jenny Wilkinson, Michelle Bollock, and Danielle Wood, but also thirteen trailblazing women who have shaped Australia’s economic landscape over the past two centuries.
Economists Katie Bradbury and Melissa Bray, through interviews and historical research, delve into the pivotal moments, strengths, and challenges that defined these women’s careers—examining their life-changing turning points, their unique superpowers, and the struggles they faced. A common thread emerges: the influence of inspiring mentors, the importance of guidance and professional networks, and the unwavering resilience required to succeed in a field where women have long been underrepresented.
Despite formidable obstacles, these women have risen to leadership, harnessing economics as a tool to improve lives and build a better society.

Melissa Bray
Melissa Bray is an economist and writer who has served as a senior executive at the Treasury and as an advisor to two Chancellors of the Exchequer. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the Women Economists Network in the Australian Capital Territory and previously held the position of General Manager at the Economic Advice Service of Australia’s Department of Industry. She is also a freelance writer and has edited two publications. Her first book, *The Australian Carillon Player*, received a Highly Commended award at the 2025 ACT Literary Awards.

Katie Bradbury
Katie Bradbury is an economist and a Senior Executive at the Productivity Commission. She has conducted inquiries into pressing economic, social, and environmental issues and has chaired or participated in numerous major public inquiries, including those on foreign water‑rights registration, regulation of the resources sector, economic regulation of airports, excise‑duty enforcement, and immigration quotas. She is a strong advocate for increasing women’s representation in the field of economics, having advanced this goal through leadership of mentorship programs and as a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Women Economists Network in the Australian Capital Territory.

Preface
Introduction

1. Alison Booth
2. Gillian Broadbent (Recipient of the Order of Australia, Officer)
3. Maureen Brent (Recipient of the Order of Australia, Officer, 1928–2019)
4. Michelle Block
5. Florence Campbell (1898–1974)
6. Besa Deda
7. Meredith Edwards (Recipient of the Order of Australia, Member)
8. Lucy Ellis
9. Helen Hughes (Recipient of the Order of Australia, Officer, 1928–2013)
10. Marion Phillips (1881–1932)
11. Beryl Plumprey (1908–2008)
12. Muriel (Joan) Polgez (Recipient of the Member of the Order of the British Empire, 1911–1978)
13. Megan Quinn (Recipient of the Australian Public Service Medal)
14. Catherine Helen Spence (1825–1910)
15. Jenny Wilkinson (Recipient of the Australian Public Service Medal)
16. Danielle Wood

Timeline
Glossary
Interview Dates
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index