FORMER Stawell woman, comedian, journalist and disability activist Stella Young was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women on Monday.
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Stella was born with the genetic condition Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which she described as having “dodgy bones”.
She began studying Journalism at Deakin University at the age of 17, and went on to become a voice for the disabled community.
Stella’s sister Madison Young said the induction was beautiful acknowledgement for her older sibling.
“We are so incredibly proud to celebrate Stella's induction into the Victorian Honour Roll, and seeing the impact of her work in the community,” she said.
Referring to herself as a “crip”, Stella challenged society’s perception of disability.
“She described crip as a liberating word, a term that seemed to horrify people, but that made her feel strong and powerful,” she said.
Stella hosted disability culture program, No Limits, which promoted open discussion about disability and won a Human Rights Commissioner Award.
Stella became the editor of Ramp Up in 2010, an online portal for disabled people.
She also made her solo debut at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2014 with her show, Tales from the Crip, which won Best Newcomer.
Ms Young said she hoped her sister’s legacy could continue.
“We also hope that one day we will live in a world without prejudice, just as she envisioned,” she said.
Stella wrote of how she wished to be remembered prior to her death in 2014.
"I am not a snowflake. I am not a sweet, infantilising symbol of fragility and life. I am a strong, fierce, flawed adult woman. I plan to remain that way, in life and in death."
Minister for Women Fiona Richardson said the 25 new inductees had changed and impacted on lives in a positive way, and the Victorian Honour Roll paid homage to their work.