Jade Nelson, founder of The Women’s Society, grateful to be finalist in 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Awards

A finalist in this year’s 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Awards, Townsville’s Jade Nelson said it was amazing to be recognised for her work empowering women across North Queensland.

The Women's Society founder Jade Nelson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A finalist in this year’s 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Awards, Townsville’s Jade Nelson said it was an amazing experience to be recognised for her work empowering women across North Queensland.

While she missed out the award she was nominated for, Emerging Philanthropist of the Year, Ms Nelson said being in the same room as nearly 1000 other people at Brisbane City Hall for the awards ceremony – all with the same goal of helping others – was “incredible’.

The annual awards celebrates the work of inspiring Queenslanders for their contribution to philanthropy in the community.

This is not the first accololade for Ms Nelson who received an honourable mention at the australia day awards for citizen of the year runner up, as well as being named in the top 50 inspirational women in NQ for the work i have done with TWS

Jade Nelson founded The Women's Society to combat isolation and loneliness, foster meaningful connections, and empower women across North Queensland.

“It was an absolute privilege to be a part of it and, for myself, my cup was so full because even being acknowledged as a finalist among some community legends was pretty awesome,” she said.

“Being my first Philanthropy Week I had a bit of impostor syndrome that’s for sure, but I was just reminded there’s so much giving across Queensland and it was just a really special occasion to celebrate all of that.”

Jade Nelson founded The Women's Society to combat isolation and loneliness, foster meaningful connections, and empower women across North Queensland.

Founder of The Women’s Society, Ms Nelson is on a mission to combat isolation, loneliness and mental health issues for women across the North.

Through running free events and programs such as women's hikes, book clubs, social speed dating and wellness exercises, The Women’s Society has 4000 members from across North Queensland.

The society is deeply personal to Ms Nelson – having endured homelessness and struggling with mental health.

“It was from the kindness of strangers and from organisations that actually gave me that sense of belonging and gave me those opportunities,” she said.

The Women's Society founder Jade Nelson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“It lead me to where I am today, wanting to give back to the community.”

“15 years ago I had no hope, no idea what the future held for me. It was that fire that lead me to the work that I do.”

With one in six women experiencing depression and many facing barriers, Ms Nelson says some can fall through the cracks in regional areas and stressed the importance of a safe space for women of all ages and backgrounds.

“Poor mental health is often linked to broad social issues that we don’t directly address but we try and do a lot of fundraising to and crisis support for to support as many organisations as we can,” she said.

“the women’s society is for every woman who has ever felt alone … for every girl that has ever questioned if she was enough.”

“It’s about creating safe spaces building positive connections reminding women that they’re not alone.”

For more information visit The Women’s Society website.

Originally published as Jade Nelson, founder of The Women’s Society, grateful to be finalist in 2025 Queensland Philanthropy Awards