It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude that we honour the memory of Joanna (Jo) Baevski, who passed away recently. For decades, Jo was a generous philanthropist whose vision for a more equal world helped shape the story of the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Jo was deeply committed to social justice and the advancement of women. Her support wasn’t just about financial contribution, it was about foresight. She invested in game-changing and circuit-breaking solutions to systemic issues that have provided immense community benefit across Victoria.

Her Legacy and Impact:

Jo’s philanthropic reach was vast, touching almost every corner of our work. Her legacy lives on through the countless women and girls whose lives were transformed by the initiatives she championed:

• Empowering the Marginalised: Jo supported vital mentoring and support networks for female refugees and asylum seekers, helping them find self-sufficiency and a sense of belonging in their new communities.
• Advancing Social Justice: From funding research into the legal needs of young women to supporting documentaries that uncovered the exploitation of outworkers in the fashion industry, Jo was never afraid to back a bold and reasoned voice.
• Innovation and Environment: She recognised the intersection of gender and the environment, supporting scholarships for women in non-traditional fields like zoology and the landmark WaterMark Australia Project, which fundamentally reframed the debate around water policy in Victoria.
• Safety and Dignity: Jo was a steadfast supporter of programs for mothers and infants affected by family violence and advocated for housing solutions for older women falling through the cracks of the system.
• Building Future Leaders: Through her support of youth leadership projects and educational programs like Typo Station, she helped ensure that at-risk young women had the best chance to become confident, positive adults.

A Lasting History

Joanna believed in the capacity of philanthropy to drive effective social change. Whether it was the Purple Sage Project, which engaged 6,000 people in grassroots democracy, or seed funding for national harm prevention institutions, Jo’s influence was integral. We will remember Jo as a steadfast ally and a magnificent investor in the work of ensuring women in Australia have true equality and opportunity. Her commitment to a vision of an equal world for all to enjoy remains our guiding light.

Vale, Jo Baevski. Your kindness, your courage, and your passion for justice are woven into the fabric of the Victorian Women’s Trust forever.