Cllr Edel Corrigan
Sinn Féin councillor Edel Corrigan has welcomed the decision of Louth County Council to pass her motion calling on local authorities to mark International Women’s Day each year.
This is Councillor Corrigan’s third attempt in getting this motion passed and she says she “is pleased to have a commitment from Louth County Council to run events.”
The motion itself said: ‘That Louth County Council mark international women’s day (March 8th) each year. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing attention on areas requiring further action.
The theme of International Women’s Day in 2014 is “Inspiring Change”, however, a number of groups select their own International Women’s Day theme, specific to their local context, and I propose that in the Louth Local authorities select a theme relevant to Local Community on an annual basis.’
Louth Sinn Féin will be hosting events and co-ordinating with other local groups in marking international Women’s Day. On Friday 7th of March Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary-Lou McDonald will be visiting Drogheda and Dundalk to meet with a number of community groups and organisations to discuss the role of women in ‘Inspiring Change’ in their communities.
Corrigan said: “we are very pleased to announce that Mary-Lou will be taking part in a panel discussion titled Women Inspiring Change in the DKIT on Friday 7th March between 12 – 1pm and all interested members of the public are invited to attend.
“There will be a reception following this at the Sinn Féin office in Crowe Street, Dundalk with Mary-Lou, from 4.15pm – 5.30pm and again, all members of the public, community groups and local businesses are invited to attend, to help mark International Women’s Day.”
Edel was quick to point out that “while this is an event to mark International Women’s Day, we at Sinn Féin encourage men to attend these events also, which will hopefully show them ways in which they too can help support women and celebrate their achievements.”
Some of the council events for International Women’s Day are as follows:
Dundalk Branch Library
March 8th ‘Women Celebrating Diversity ( event to be confirmed in co-operation with the Polish community and / or African community in Dundalk)
March 11th ‘Women in Business in County Louth’ – Recognising the Achievement of Women in County Louth – a lively panel discussion with women from a broad range of business backgrounds (speakers to be confirmed)
We may also look at a daytime event for Secondary Schools on local women as role Models
Ardee Branch Library
March 8th ‘Women & Health’ – A talk with expert advice on all aspect of women’s health.
All branches will also have relevant book displays highlighting different themes to coincide with the day including women’s authors, influential women over the last century, women’s health issues etc.’
