Pioneering Kells senator features in new women politicians book
Online launch by Tanaiste on Tuesday evening
Meath woman and member of the first Seanad, Senator Alice Stopford Green, features in a new book published by Fine Gael in time for International Women's Day.
'Proud to Serve: The Voices of the Women of Cumann na nGaedheal and Fine Gael 1922-1992' is written by Drogheda woman Martina Murray, whose mother Kaline Plunkett was from Blackcastle, Navan, and Maria Hegarty, from Cork.
One of four women members of the first Seanad in 1922, historian Alice Stopford Green was born in Kells in 1847. A committed nationalist, she was involved in preparations for the 1914 Howth Gun Running from her home in London, and provided funding for the venture.
In the aftermath of the Easter Rising in 1916 she campaigned in vain to save the life of her friend Roger Casement and later, in her early seventies, moved to Dublin. When the British Government attempted to impose conscription in Ireland, Alice Stopford Green was prominent in organising “Lá na mBan”, a day of mass national protests involving tens of thousands of women which took place on 9th June, 1918. Her home at 90 St Stephen’s Green quickly became a centre of intellectual activities and Michael Collins was amongst the regular visitors there. She was a strong supporter of the Treaty he helped broker, joining the executive of Cumann na Saoirse, and was later one of the founder members of Cumann na nGaedheal.
The authors
Maria Hegarty is a researcher, diversity and inclusion expert and equality campaigner. She studied Business, Economics and Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin and is the Founder of Equality Strategies Ltd and Diversity Charter Ireland.
Martina Murray is a writer and historian with a particular interest in campaigns around social change. She studied English and History at Trinity College Dublin and currently works as a freelance writer and web editor.
The book will be launched by An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar at an online event on Tuesday, 9th of March at 7.30pm. Registration for this free event is at https://www.finegael.ie/book (the book is also available at this link).
The event will feature a panel discussion with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, and former Justice Ministers Frances Fitzgerald and Nora Owen, moderated by Cllr Yemi Adenuga of Navan.