The Editor,
\nLetters Page
\nThe Irish Times<\/p>\n
Dear Editor,<\/p>\n
There has been some commentary recently about Mary Lou McDonald becoming only the third Female Leader of an Irish Political Party. While not taking from her noteworthy success it would appear that in the process a large number of important Irish Women Political Leaders have been disregarded.<\/p>\n
So let us not forget:<\/p>\n
Margaret Buckley, Sinn Fein, 1937- 1950,
\nAnne Dickson, Unionist Party of Northern Ireland 1976-181,
\nMarion Donnelly, Workers Party 1992-1994,
\nMary Harney, Progressive Democrats 1993 – 2006 (and 2007-2008),
\nNora Bennis of the Family Solidarity and National Party 1994 and 1995 respectively,
\nMonica Williams and Pearl Sagar, Women’s Coalition, Northern Ireland 1996,
\nJoan Burton, Labour Party 2014-2016,
\nLucinda Creighton, Renua 2015-2016 who have all served as Leaders of Irish political Parties.<\/p>\n
Today in the Dail, the Social Democrats are led by Catherine Murphy and Roisin Shortall and in Northern Ireland the DUP and Alliance Parties are led by Arlene Foster and Naoimi Long respectively.<\/p>\n
Too strong a body of women in my view to be forgotten.<\/p>\n
Yours sincerely,<\/p>\n
Councillor Dermot Lacey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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