2026 NSW Young Woman of the Year: How Milli Weaver Turned a Diagnosis into a National Movement

At 24, Milli Weaver was in a hospital bed recovering from surgery, frustrated by the lack of support for young people with endometriosis. Three years later, that hospital-room project has seen her named the 2026 NSW Young Woman of the Year.

Now a 27-year-old solicitor, Milli was honored for founding the Australian Endometriosis Foundation (AEF).

What began in 2023 as a peer-support initiative has grown into a national charity with over 1,600 members. Under Milli’s leadership, the AEF launched Australia’s first Endometriosis Youth Summit and a vital hospital care-pack program.

“Young women deserve more than just a pamphlet; they need a community that validates their pain,” Milli says. Her advocacy comes at a critical time, with the condition now affecting 1 in 7 Australian women.

Milli’s leadership has also been instrumental on a federal level. She has become a key consultant on the impact of the government’s $49.1 million endometriosis funding package, specifically pushing for improved mental health access for patients in rural and remote areas. By balancing her demanding career as a solicitor with her role as a national advocate, Milli embodies the spirit of the NSW Women of the Year Awards. Her story is a powerful reminder that lived experience is often the most effective tool for systemic change, turning a personal diagnosis into a national movement for 1 in 7 Australian women.

Despite the Foundation’s rapid growth, it remains a volunteer-run non-profit. Milli continues to balance her legal career with national advocacy, pushing for better mental health access and advising on federal funding. Her award, falling in Endometriosis Awareness Month, is a testament to the power of turning personal hardship into a lifeline for others.