Tipperary Women and Local Politics seminar aims to attract more women into politics

Pictured above at the very well attended Tipperary Women and Local Politics’ seminar in the Source Arts Centre in Thurles are (l to r) Dr. Michelle Maher, Programme Manager at see Her Elected; Cllr Máirín McGrath, Cllr Annemarie Ryan, Cllr Siobhan Ambrose, Cllr Marie Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr Roger Kennedy, Cllr Peggy Ryan, Cllr Fiona Bonfield and MC for the event Sinéad Doody of Doody Consulting and Facilitation

Going from community involvement to local politics, the day-to-day reality of being a public representative, and the importance of women putting themselves forward for election so they are equally part of decision-making in the county were topics discussed at a seminar aimed at highlighting a pathway for women into Local Government in Tipperary last week.

The ‘Tipperary Women and Local Politics’ seminar took place in the Source Arts Centre in Thurles with women from all over the county enjoying panel discussions with local politicians as well as hearing from guest speaker Kathleen O’ Meara.

The event was hosted by the Tipperary Women’s Caucus and Tipperary County Council in association with See Her Elected.
Tipperary County Councillors Siobhan Ambrose, Fiona Bonfield, Máirín McGrath, Marie Murphy, Anne Marie Ryan and Caucus Chairperson Cllr Peggy Ryan all took part as panelists on the day.

Due to prior commitments, Councillors Dr Phyll Bugler, Imelda Goldsboro, and Mary Hanna Hourigan were unable to attend and supported the extensive preparations for the event.

The event brought the voices of Tipperary women in politics and the community together to understand what the role of a Councillor entails and about pathways into Tipperary County Council for women.

Guest speaker Kathleen O’Meara, a public affairs consultant and a former member of Seanad Éireann, North Tipperary County Council, and Nenagh Town Council told the seminar that the masculine culture of politics had begun to change somewhat from her time in politics with misogynist behaviour beginning to be called out.

She invited women in politics to contest this culture.

Her advice was for women to be bold and to start to get involved in politics, whether as a candidate or as part of a campaign team to see more women elected.

In welcoming the event to Tipperary, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Roger Kennedy stated that “there is a challenge in increasing the number of women in local politics” and that it was the Council’s ambition to encourage more women and a greater diversity of people to participate in Local Government to the greatest extent possible.”

In panel discussions, the members of the Tipperary Women’s Caucus shared their journey into politics, described the privilege of being the link between people and the Council and gave examples of what helped them get elected.

Cllr Máirín McGrath spoke of the importance of organisations like Comhairle na nÓg, where she first cut her political teeth and of her huge respect for anybody who goes forward for election. She stressed the importance of the team around you, “in order to run, you need a team. You need to bring people with you especially around election time” said Cllr McGrath.

Cllr Anne Marie Ryan, highlighted the importance of being a part of change with “small wins being just as important as the big wins as people’s lives are affected by decisions made by local authorities.”

Cllr Marie Murphy admitted that she never saw herself as a Councillor until she was asked to run.
Her enjoyment at the part of her role that was translating Council services to make them accessible to everyone.

She too emphasised the importance of building a good team around you.

Cllr Siobhan Ambrose noted that “just because you grow up in a political household, it doesn’t follow that you will automatically enter into politics” adding that “if you like people and are interested in your local community you will make a good Councillor”.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield highlighted the importance of grassroots and getting involved in your local community.

Her own journey began in Tidy Towns and the GAA. She believes “all big ideas start in the community.”

Cllr Peggy Ryan, Chairperson of the Tipperary Women’s Caucus, spoke of the importance of the women’s caucus in Tipperary in “creating a supportive environment in encouraging the county’s female councillors to get to know each other better aside from their formal Council meetings” and “the importance of working together for the benefit of all their communities”.

She welcomed events like today where women from the county could begin to see a way into local politics for themselves so that the Council could more closely resemble the population of the county.

Mr. Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council, said it was one of the most open and interesting discussions he has attended, providing him with “a real insight into people participating in democracy to bring about real change in equality in local government.”

Dr. Michelle Maher, Programme Manager with See Her Elected, the award-winning Government funded project which supports women in rural constituencies to become County Councillors described the free resources offered by her organisation to any woman interested in running in the local elections or helping a woman get (re)elected.

She invited women who were interested in local politics to “get in touch with See Her Elected and join the free online election workshops so that the expertise and knowledge of women is equally taken into account in decision making in county councils.”
Sinead Doody of Doody Facilitating and Consulting acted as MC for the event.