Celebrating 100 Years of University Women
Some of the TWG Committee at the IrFUW Centenary Celebration in Regent House
Lucy Corcoran, Angie Mazzetti, Angela Guillemet, Gisele Scanlon, Sandra O’Connell and Vitalia Vitalia Bikmametova
On 11th of October, TWG had the honor to launch the Centenary of the Irish Federation of University Women. TWG and UCDWGA worked together to gather a powerful group of women who reflected on a century of breaking barriers in education, politics, and beyond. We were honoured to have Provost Dr Linda Doyle officially open the occasion as she reiterated the message to jam open the doors for the generations behind us. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and Chancellor of Trinity and Orla Feely, President of UCD also had empowering messages. Distinguished guests included Patrice Wellesley-Cole representing Graduate Women International and ANNE NEGRE President of UWE, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Gisèle Scanlon, President of IrFUW and Grainne Keane, newly elected VP of UWE. A special mention goes to the IrFUW Girls Public Speaking Competition. We are grateful to Arthur Cox LLP for supporting this important initiative which empowers and recognizes talented young girls. Thanks also to our student volunteers who helped on the night lead by Ella Pidgeon. The centenary celebrations will continue throughout 2024/2025, culminating in a UWE Meet & Greet in Belfast on 25-27 April 2025.
On 12th of October the IrFUW held a conference to celebrate and honor the remarkable contributions and achievements of Irish women over the past 100 years. There were wonderful sessions on the impact of Past IrFUW Presidents and their pivotal role in advancing opportunities for women in higher education. Professor Caitriona Beaumont shared her research about her grandmother Máirín Beaumont who was a republican and women’s rights activist. This was followed by a fascinating talk by Dr Jackie Ui Chionna who recounted the story of Professor Emily Anderson, a codebreaker during the Second World War. The event was a fitting tribute to a century of achievements, as well as a celebration of the ongoing work of IrFUW in promoting women’s education and empowerment
