Count Her In

By CLIONA BUTLER

Duhallow Women’s Forum held a conference on Friday March 8th to celebrate International Women’s Day using the themes of Inspire Inclusion and Count Her In. An enjoyable day was had by all with nearly 100 people in attendance. The day started off with an opening address by Judy O’Leary, chairperson of Duhallow Women’s forum.

Julie O’Leary-Helen, Accessibility Rights Activist, spoke of struggles for acceptance and inclusion as a person living with Cerebral Palsy, and a life spent looking for a balance between equity and equality. She highlighted areas where small changes can make massive difference to a person’s experiences and feelings of acceptance and inclusion.

Katherine Dolphin Griffin from Hope to Cope told powerful and poignant tales about helping her father raise her brothers after a family split and ensuring that, as the only female, she was not landed with the role of substitute mother. She shared her experience of struggles with poor mental health after grief and the realities of dealing with a personal diagnosis of cancer while also dealing with a loved one’s diagnosis at the same time, and how hope helped to overcome many issues and enabled her to cope with the realities of living with cancer. Her story included raising money for The Irish Cancer Society and Marymount Hospice; a massive sum of over €100,000. Her book, Hope to Cope, is available in Dunnes Stores.

Collette Vaughan from the Department Of Social Protection gave a talk on securing your benefits and pensions, and how to ensure you have proper access to your pension. This talk also discussed the changes to entitlements regarding people who were out of paid employment due to fulfilling caring needs in the home.

Lynda Di Blasi, personal stylist and wardrobe declutter specialist, gave us some great tips on styling and how to use pieces we already own to enhance our clothes and uplift our appearance. The HSE’s Shirley O’Shea spoke about women’s health with an emphasis on menopause and bone health, and Stephanie Ronayne from The Food Safety Company spoke about eating for health and wellness.

Eileen Linehan spoke about the many supports available to women and the general populace provided by IRD Duhallow. Duhallow Women’s Forum is an umbrella group of many women’s groups in the area, and if you think your group would benefit from being involved with them, please contact IRD Duhallow.

A great day was had by all and the Women’s Forum are thankful to the staff of IRD Duhallow for planning this event for them and hosting it at the James O’ Keeffe Institute in Newmarket. Wonderful food, as always, was provided by the Duhallow Community Food Services and some great music was played during lunch by the talented Sheila Fitzgerald.

During lunch, Mary Wallace, Siobhain Kiely, and Eileen Fehin each won a voucher for Duhallow Community Food Services following a great quiz performance. A truly enjoyable day, and a chance to meet old and new friends from across the community.

Judy O’Leary, Chairperson

Julie O’Leary-Helen Activist

Shirley O’Shea HSE

Lynda Di Blasi Personal Stylist

Katherine Dolphin Griffin Hope to Cope

Stephanie Ronayne Food Safety Company

Eileen Linehan, IRD Duhallow Assistant Manager

Noreen Curtin, Charleville, Sheila Deady, Banteer and Kathleen Mullane, Cullen

Judy O’Leary presented Sheila Fitzgerald and Cliona Butler with a bouquet

Helen Buckley, Ballyclough, Eileen McCarthy, Castlemagner, Marian Barrett, Kilshannig, Kathleen Moylan, Castlemagner, Eilis Kearney, Banteer, Eileen O’ Connor, Laharn, Margaret O’ Donovan, Banteer and Ursula Pomeroy, Millstreet

Margaret O’ Keeffe, Newmarket, Marie Crowley, Bweeng, Mary O’ Sullivan, Freemount, Mary Leahy, Nadd, Jeanette O’ Connell, Bweeng and Mary Murphy, Meelin pictured with Cliona Butler of IRD Duhallow

Kanturk ladies enjoying the Women’s Conference which was held at IRD Duhallow to celebrate International Women’s Day

Mary Daly, Boherbue, Kathleen O’ Sullivan, Cullen, Mary Hickey, Cullen, Mary Gardiner, Cullen with Noreen O’ Connell, Sheila Foley and Kathleen Collins, Boherbue

Duhallow Women’s Forum members

Louise Bourke of IRD Duhallow, Judy O’Leary, Katherine Dolphin Griffin, and Cliona Butler