Honouring a Co op Pioneer, Investing in Co-op Leadership
Each March, International Women’s Day invites us to recognise women’s contributions and recommit to gender equality. It is fitting, then, that CEHL is launching the Eliza Brierley Awards in March – celebrating women’s leadership, participation and influence within co operative housing.
In 1846, Eliza Brierley paid her membership fee and became the first woman to join the Rochdale Pioneers Co-op. In doing so, she claimed something powerful for her time: a voice, a vote and a place in a democratic movement. The Eliza Brierley Awards honour that legacy by supporting women today to step forward, build confidence and strengthen leadership within their co-ops and across the CEHL network.
Thanks to a generous anonymous donation, the Awards are open to women connected to the CEHL co-operative housing network who want to grow their skills, explore leadership, or contribute to stronger co op communities
What can the Award support?
The Eliza Brierley Award is flexible and designed to meet women where they are. You don’t need to be an experienced leader or have a formal role to apply.
Funds can support individual leadership journeys, such as:
- Leadership, governance or skills building courses
- Mentoring or coaching
- Learning new skills such as facilitation, confidence building, financial literacy or community engagement
- Attending conferences, forums or events linked to co-operative housing or social justice
The Award can also support collective benefits for co-ops, including:
- Running workshops or training for co-op members
- Developing shared tools or resources that strengthen participation and decision making
- Creating learning or connection opportunities across co-ops
- Piloting initiatives that encourage women’s involvement and leadership within co-ops
- Applicants are encouraged to show how their idea reflects co-operative values and helps build stronger, more inclusive communities — whether through personal growth, collective impact, or both.
Is this Award for you?
- If you’ve ever thought, “I’d like to be more involved, but I’m not sure where to start”, this Award is for you.
- If you have an idea that could benefit your co op or the broader CEHL
co-op community, this Award can help make it happen. - If you’re already contributing and want to grow your confidence, skills or impact, we encourage you to apply.
We warmly invite women across the CEHL network to put their hand up – alone or in collaboration with others – and be part of shaping the future of co-operative housing.
How to apply
To request an application form, or to find out more about the Awards, please email Ximena at ximena.czaja@cehl.com.au
Or fill in the form below.