Walking in Jill’s footsteps

When physiotherapy student Bailey Armstrong was looking at scholarships to help meet her education expenses, the Zonta – Jill Salter Memorial Scholarship stopped her in her tracks. Bailey instantly felt an affiliation with Zonta International and its commitment to women’s rights.

Targeting women in rural health, the Jill Salter scholarship was established by the Zonta Club of Orange in memory of their friend and member, Jill Salter. Jill trained and worked as a radiographer in Sydney before moving to Orange to be near family. She joined Zonta in Orange and soon became president. In 1988 at the age of 33, Jill died in a road accident.

More than 30 years later and Jill’s memory is kept alive by the success of scholarship recipients like Bailey.

Bailey felt strongly connected to the values of the scholarship. “Zonta is all about equality for women in terms of their healthcare and their education. And the educational goals stuck out to me as, growing up, my mum and my grandma – both fiercely independent women – always reinforced that you can and should pursue anything that you want to.”

“Women’s health also resonated as there are discrepancies in the way that healthcare is delivered to women. As a physio, hopefully I’ll be able to direct my practice to women’s health and really bridge that gap.”

For Bailey, the memorial scholarship eased the pressure of work placement expenses and so much more.

“The scholarship coincided with our first major block of placement. I moved from Bathurst to Wagga for five weeks and it helped me afford accommodation, which meant I could focus on my placement and make the most of my experience clinically, rather than trying to work after hours to make ends meet.” “I also felt like I have massive support behind me with all the women from the Zonta Club. Having their support was lovely in addition to the scholarship removing financial stress. I’ve since joined as a student member because I believe in the goals of the club and think younger voices are needed in the mix.”

Bailey says she will continue as a Zonta Club member wherever her career takes her, and she hopes to honour Jill’s memory in her work and life.

“I’ve heard about Jill, and she was really passionate about women working in health. I hope to follow in her footsteps by having integrity in my practice and doing everything I can to help make the workplace more equitable and to ensure everyone receives high quality healthcare, regardless of gender.”

ZONTA Jill Slater Memorial Scholarship winner, Bailey Armstrong with Pro Chancellor Carole McDiarmid