Julia Střelou (known as J. Střelou) grew up without electricity on a primitive hippie commune formed after the 1973 Aquarius Festival in Nimbin, Australia. She now calls Queenstown in New Zealand home.
Best known for her empowering quotes, Střelou's messages of love, heartbreak, and female empowerment have resonated with her readers making her a popular "Instagram poet." Her quotes have been shared by millions of people around the world.
After a series of abusive relationships she is now an advocate for female empowerment and supporter of New Zealand's family violence charities. She was named a finalist in the 2022 New Zealand Women of Influence awards and a Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero medalist 2023.
In 2021, she published Her Story; a compilation of poems inspired by the stories of real women, Her Story aims to shine a light on domestic violence and function as a personal development tool.
She is the organiser of the Annual Awards & Gala for Women's Refuge Services, a charity event designed to celebrate the female leaders and change-makers of the region whilst raising funds for family violence support services.
"I cannot thank J Strelou enough. Reading that poem gave me a look from the outside and reassured me how strong I was for leaving"
