IRISH WOMEN'S NETWORK
Calling on all Irish Women to Become Agents for Change

MAIREAD Corrigan-Maguire with Deirdre O'Ruairc, president of the Irish Women's Network.

By SIOBHAN AIREY

VANCOUVER - Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire calls on all Irish women to become agents for change in their communities and in Canada.

"Women can be agents for change - women can set a new agenda of compassion in individual and political life," was the message from Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, co-founder of the Peace People (www.peacepeople.com) and noted peace activist. She spoke at a meeting with members of the Irish Women's Network BC on September 30.

"We need women in politics, we need women in communities, bringing a new agenda. Our agenda is education, healthcare and the environment. Our agenda is not war and killing and nuclear weapons, and spending billions of pounds on preparing for the next war."

The Nobel Peace Prize winner drew on the Irish history of non-violence going back to St. Patrick, and the strong tradition of peace activism in the Christian tradition as an impetus for Irish women in Canada to actively promote a vision of non-violence in Canada and with our American neighbours.

With both countries now involved in wars, Maguire asked "Can you imagine if the Irish diaspora talked about non-violence and non-killing as a way of sorting out problems?"

In a wide-ranging talk in which Corrigan-Maguire spoke of her work with the Peace People movement and the situation in Northern Ireland today for the many communities now living there.

She stressed the continuing need to take opportunities to reach out to other communities and to learn from them. Ethnic identity is only one source of difference, she said, crossing the social divide can be very problematic.

Recently imprisoned by Israeli authorities for her solidarity work with the non-violent movement in Palestine, she described in humorous terms the support from her fellow activists who included U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinnon and the kindness from other women prisoners during imprisonment.

It made her description of the ordinary lives of people in Gaza living under a siege and denied access to basic goods all the more stark. She encouraged the Irish Women's Network to support the work of humanitarian efforts of organizations such as The Free Gaza Movement (www.freegaza.org).

IWN COMMITTEE (L-R) Patricia Jarvis, Geraldine Megannety, Siobhan Airey, Mairead Corrigan-Maguire, Deirdre O'Ruairc, Eilis Courtney and Jackie Parsonage.

In celebration of her attendance, and her contribution to the Vancouver Peace Summit, Corrigan-Maguire was presented with honorary membership of the IWN and the IWN also made a contribution to support the work of the Nobel Women's Initiative (www.nobelwomensinitiative.org).

Further information on the work of this inspirational woman will be available on the IWN website.

Nollaig na mBan
A date has been set for the highlight of the IWN social calendar - the celebration of Nollaig na mBan 2010 - so put this date in your diary - January 9, 2010. Further details on the event will come in the months ahead.

If you know of any women from Ireland who have arrived in recent months, do encourage them to get in touch and check out the IWN website at www.irishwomenbc.net.

Patricia Jarvis to run Dublin City Marathon
With the marathon only a few weeks away, the IWN would like to wish Patricia the very best of luck in her next marathon in Dublin. An experienced marathoner, Patricia speaks lightly of the dedication and stamina needed to undertake this sport - we're sending you our very best wishes, Patricia!

TOP - or - Back to Headlines