Organ donation advocate Emma Stevens named Woman of the Year 2025

In the midst of unimaginable grief after the death of her youngest son, mum Emma Stevens asked South Australians to have a conversation about organ donation.

No parent should have to lose a child. Every long weekend or ahead of big South Australian events, the police plead with drivers to take care; to come home safe.

And as parents waved goodbye to their kids heading off to the Schoolies Festival in 2023, they pleaded for the same thing.

Come home safe.

Tragically for Emma Stevens, her son Charlie was struck by a car during the festival and later died in hospital surrounded by loved ones.

Her husband, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, was used to fronting the cameras to speak to South Australians about road safety and the shocking road toll.

But nothing could have prepared them for this moment.

Their grief tore at the hearts of every South Australian.

Emma and Charlie, when he was a baby.

Charlie Stevens.

And in that grief, where Ms Stevens could have understandably retreated, she instead become a powerful voice for all South Australians who have lost a loved one on our roads and an outspoken advocate for organ donation.

Charlie was just 18 when the tragedy happened at the Victor Harbor Schoolies event.

The young tradie who had “a heart of gold” was the 101st life lost on South Australian roads in 2023.

When he was just 16 and getting his Learners Licence, Charlie selected to become an organ donor.

His death gave seven people a new chance at life.

On Thursday night amongst the 47 finalists gathered in the Sky City ballroom, Ms Stevens was named The Advertiser, Sunday Mail SkyCity Women of the Year, after winning the Inspiration of the Year title earlier in the evening.

As she addressed the crowd she took the opportunity to share her life saving message once again - asking us all to talk with our family about organ donation.

“Talk to your children, talk to your family, talk to your friends, talk to people in this room... tick the box, go online, please become an organ donor,” Ms Stevens said.

“If Charlie can save one person or eight people then he’s still here.”

Through tears, Ms Stevens spoke of her beloved son while showing a necklace that she wears in his honour.

“It’s actually all about Charlie...Charlie’s everywhere I go,” she said.

“If something good can come out of such a horrible situation then as a family we are okay with that.”

But in the Steven family’s usual form, Ms Stevens also shared her laughter at the thought of Charlie’s reaction to her receiving the award.

“He would be thinking (the women of the year award) is the biggest joke in the world, he would say ‘do you know my mother?,” Ms Stevens joked.

Emma and Grant Stevens, 12 months on from losing their youngest son, Charlie. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Ms Stevens was also a powerful voice in The Advertiser’s road safety campaign, releasing a letter reminding people that Charlie was a “son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, friends, workmate, teammate. So much more than just a number on a tragic tally.”

The family then used the release of the letter to raise awareness on the importance of organ donation, asking those reading this to talk about organ and tissue donation with their family and friends.

Friends and family often describe Charlie’s cheeky grin.

A young Charlie with Emma and Grant.

Speaking to The Advertiser again in November last year, one year on from her son’s tragic death, Ms Stevens spoke of her “kind and generous” boy who saved seven people’s lives.

“It would have been such a waste … Charlie is not here but he is not wasted … there are people who are still alive today because of him,” Emma said.

“He didn’t hesitate (to tick the box) … as a family we sat with the kids and talked about (him being an organ recipient) but it wasn’t a hard decision at all, it was just what we were going to do.”

The Stevens family also spoke of the “bittersweet” reality of reading letters from those who have received Charlie’s liver, kidney, heart and corneas.

Ms Stevens said these people were never far for her mind and was grateful that Charlie was able to help other families.

Originally published as Organ donation advocate Emma Stevens named Woman of the Year 2025