St Vincent de Paul Qld’s first female President encourages the community to ‘Give to Gain’

Give to Gain, the theme of International Women’s Day 2026, holds special meaning for Patricia McMahon, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland’s first female State President in its’ 130+ year history.  

Patricia has dedicated the last 13 years supporting her community as a Member of St Vincent de Paul and, since 2022, has led the Society’s efforts to support vulnerable Queenslanders through an ongoing housing and cost-of-living crisis. 

For International Women’s Day 2026, held on 8 March, the theme of Give to Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and mutual support. 

“I can certainly relate to the theme. I dedicate a lot of time to helping others in my community, and most days it feels I get more out of it than they do,” she said. 

“We offer a place for people to come in, open up and to freely be themselves. To be able to provide them with help and hope is such a joy. 

“I’m blessed to be able to work with so many fantastic women who are dedicated to their community. 

“By supporting each other and working together, we can build a stronger Queensland.” 

Patricia said there was one area with unwelcome growing female representation – Queenslanders struggling with homelessness. 

“When I started, we would see more males struggling with homelessness and poverty than females, but now that split is more even,” she said. 

“During our state housing and cost of living crisis, we’ve seen a significant increase in domestic and family violence cases and single parents struggling to afford the basics. Those are certainly issues that impact men too, but are predominantly female.  

“In fact, women over 55 are one of the fastest growing cohorts of Australians facing homelessness.”  

Patricia said the St Vincent de Paul Society had come a long way since its’ male-only origins in France in 1833. 

“For an organisation that started as male-only, we now have more female Members than men on the frontlines of support in Queensland,” she said. 

“It has changed a lot, and I’ve been privileged to be able to work with the most dedicated and thoughtful people you could meet. That goes for both men and women. 

“When it comes to compassion, what matters the most is what is in your heart, not just your chromosomes.” 

For more information about joining St Vincent de Paul Queensland, visit qld.vinnies.org.au/joinus 

For more information on International Women’s Day, visit internationalwomensday.com