De Brun marks International Women's Day
Published: 7 March, 2009
Bairbre de Brun MEP lays a wreath at the women's remembrance garden in the Roddys to celebrate International women's day
Sinn Fein MEP Bairbre de Brun said she was delighted to host the International Women's Day conference held in the Balmoral Hotel on Saturday 7 March, which was attended by over 100 people.
Historian Margaret Ward, author of Unmanageable Revolutionaries, was the guest speaker at the event.
Welcoming participants, Ms de Brun said: "This conference is part of a series of events being held to mark this important day.
"International Women's Day grew out of the 1911 disaster in New York, when more than 140, mainly immigrant, women and girls were killed in a factory fire.
"Improving workers' conditions and supporting the labour movement has long been emphasised during International Women's Day and it has grown to also encompass many other issues around achieving full political and economic equality for women.
"Here in Ireland, our emphasis is on the role women have played, and continue to play, in the Irish struggle for freedom and equality for all, and we remember the contribution of those women today."
Earlier on Saturday, Ms de Brun had laid a wreath at the Women's Garden of Remembrance in the grounds of the Roddy McCorley Club on behalf of Sinn Fein in memory of the women who had given their lives in the struggle.
Speaking about women participating in politics today, Ms de Brun said: "The proudest moment in my life was when Mary Lou McDonald and I walked in together to the European Parliament. We were two Irish women, one from the North and one from the South - representing one country, one party."
Ms de Brun introduced Margaret Ward, saying: "Margaret has not only provided an invaluable contribution to documenting the contribution of women in the national movement in Ireland, she has also long played an important role in women's organisations, including the Women's Resource and Development Agency."
Ms Ward provided a vivid description of the struggles fought by the Ladies Land League, Inghinidhe na hÉireann and Cumann na mBan. She also spoke on the experiences of Irish women leaders such as Hannah Sheehy Skeffington.
Ms de Brun thanked her for "bringing to life" such strong Irish women from previous generations.
She also thanked the range of community and voluntary groups who had participated in the day, including the Falls Women's Centre, WRDA, Tar Anall, the Equality Commission and the Women into Politics group, and the alternative therapy organisations who had provided taster sessions for conference participants.
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