High Tees is proud to present The Changemakers – a bold, hand-drawn T-shirt featuring 12 trailblazing Australian women who fought for equality and changed history.
Created exclusively for International Women’s Day 2025, this striking design by High Tees founder Jess McDonald pays tribute to activists, rebels, and pioneers who refused to accept the status quo. Their stories need to be elevated and celebrated as they have paved the way and changed Australian history.
This limited-edition release is designed for customers who want to make a statement—not just on IWD, but every day of the year.
We are also proud to be supporting the amazing work of Friend with Dignity - a charity that supports victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives. 10% of profits from this collection will be donated to aid in the ongoing work of Friends with Dignity.
Meet the Icons:
Rosie Batty (b. 1962)
A tireless advocate against domestic violence, Rosie Batty became a national voice for change after the tragic murder of her son, Luke, in 2014. She was named Australian of the Year in 2015 and has worked relentlessly to reform policies around family violence.
Margaret Tucker (1904–1996)
One of the first Aboriginal women to publish an autobiography, If Everyone Cared, Margaret Tucker was a strong advocate for Indigenous rights. She was a member of the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship and campaigned against the forced removal of Aboriginal children.
Faith Bandler (1918–2015)
A leading activist for Indigenous rights, Faith Bandler was instrumental in the 1967 referendum that saw Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people finally counted in the census. She dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality in Australia.
Daisy Bindi (1904–1962)
An Indigenous activist and leader, Daisy Bindi led a significant strike of Aboriginal workers in 1946, demanding fair wages and better treatment on cattle stations in Western Australia. Her activism was a crucial part of the broader fight for Indigenous rights.
Merle Thornton (b. 1930)
A feminist activist best known for chaining herself to the bar of Brisbane’s Regatta Hotel in 1965, Merle Thornton fought against gender discrimination in public spaces. She was also a writer and academic, advocating for women’s rights throughout her career.
Zelda D’Aprano (1928–2018)
A fearless advocate for equal pay, Zelda D’Aprano famously chained herself to the doors of the Commonwealth Building in 1969 to protest gender pay inequality. She was a key figure in Australia’s trade union movement and women’s liberation movement.
Jessie Street (1889–1970)
A feminist, activist, and diplomat, Jessie Street was a lifelong campaigner for women’s rights and Indigenous rights. She was the only woman on the Australian delegation to the founding of the United Nations in 1945 and played a crucial role in the lead-up to the 1967 referendum.
Elizabeth Evatt (b. 1933)
A trailblazer in Australian law, Elizabeth Evatt was the first female judge of the Family Court of Australia and the first woman appointed to the UN Human Rights Committee. She has worked tirelessly to advance human rights, particularly for women and children.
Eva Cox (b. 1938)
A fierce advocate for social justice, Eva Cox has spent decades campaigning for feminism, workplace equality, and social policy reform. She has worked in academia, government, and activism, always pushing for a fairer and more inclusive society.
Pearl Gibbs (1901–1983)
A powerful voice for Aboriginal rights, Pearl Gibbs was one of the most prominent female Indigenous activists of the 20th century. She was instrumental in advocating for better conditions for Aboriginal people and was deeply involved in the fight for the 1967 referendum.
Nancy Wake (1912–2011)
A war hero and resistance fighter, Nancy Wake was one of the most decorated women of World War II. Known as the “White Mouse” by the Gestapo, she worked with the French Resistance, helping to smuggle people out of Nazi-occupied France and leading guerrilla attacks.
Alice Henry (1857–1943)
A journalist, writer, and trade unionist, Alice Henry was a pioneering advocate for women’s workplace rights in Australia and internationally. She played a key role in the women’s suffrage movement and fought for better working conditions for women.
This design is a powerful piece to wear not just for International Women's Day, but any time of the year. It is about strength, resistance, never giving up.
Jess has gone back to her monotone style - drawing inspirations from her favourite artists Gerhard Richter, Ansel Adams, Masashi Kishimoto, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Helmut Newton, Ellen Von Unwerth, this piece is bold, striking and timeless.
Available in unisex and women's t shirts and tote bags.