Obituary: Lowitja O'Donoghue, Renowned Indigenous Leader, Passes Away at 91 in Australia

Lowitja O'Donoghue, one of Australia's highly esteemed Aboriginal leaders, has passed away at the age of 91. Throughout her life, Dr. O'Donoghue advocated for the health and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, earning her numerous prestigious awards. In 1984, she was named Australian of the Year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised her as a figure of "grace" and "moral clarity," noting her unwavering belief in a united and reconciled Australia. Despite facing discrimination since her early days, O'Donoghue dedicated herself to fighting for equality. Born in a remote corner of South Australia, she was forcibly taken from her Aboriginal mother at the age of two as part of assimilation policies. It took thirty years for the two to reunite. O'Donoghue's determination led her to become the first Aboriginal nurse in South Australia, challenge discriminatory decisions, and eventually address the UN general assembly as the first Aboriginal person. She pushed for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which was brought to a referendum last year but was unfortunately defeated. O'Donoghue played a pivotal role in negotiating Australia's Native Title legislation, granting land rights to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Alongside her Australian honors, she also received an Order of the British Empire appointment and a papal honor from Pope John Paul II. Prominent Aboriginal leaders and politicians paid tribute to her, recognizing her influential leadership in the battle for justice and her significant contributions to Indigenous rights. The South Australian government has offered her family a state funeral, and her legacy lives on through foundations like The Lowitja Institute, dedicated to advancing Indigenous health outcomes.