GMIT celebrates International Women's Day with programme of open events (6 - 8 March)

Tuesday, March 05, 2019 Press Office
Press Release

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is pleased to announce a programme of public events and activities marking International Women’s Day 2019 (8 March) which are taking place in all campuses in Galway and Mayo from Wednesday 6 March to Friday 8 March, and in Higher Education Institutes across the country.

The GMIT programme features public talks, seminars and an art exhibition by inspirational and award-winning guest speakers including GMIT scientists, researchers, lecturers and students.

The first series of seminars kick off in the GMIT Mayo on Wednesday afternoon, 6 March, at 1pm, topics and speakers are as follows:

“Medieval Women’s Patronage: Insights from Athenry Priory” by Dr Yvonne McDermott, GMIT Mayo Heritage Studies lecturer;

“Catherine de Killikelly: A Galway Girl in Bilbao”, by Dr Fiona White, GMIT Mayo Heritage Studies lecturer;

“A paternalistic approach to Women’s health” by Sheila Hays, Mayo Mental Health and Dr Deirdre Garvey, GMIT Mayo Lifelong Learning Manager;

“Women in Entrepreneurship” by Maria Staunton, Manager of EMPOWER Female Entrepreneur Programme and iHub Manager, Mayo campus;

“The art of social change” by Una Morris;

“A presentation on the work of Mayo County Council Arts Office” by Ann Marie McGing, Mayo Co Council Acting Arts Officer;

And an art exhibition titled “Challenging Times” by artist Maggie Coggins.

On Thursday, 7 March, the eve of International Women’s Day, Dr Easkey Britton will deliver a public lecture "We are ocean: cross-cultural connections between people and the sea". Dr Britton is an Irish surfer from Co Donegal who holds a doctorate in Environment and Society from the University of Ulster. In 2010, she won her fifth consecutive Irish National Surfing Championship title at her namesake wave in neighbouring, Co Sligo, and in 2009 became the British Pro-Tour Champion.

On 8 March, GMIT’s Jacinta Dalton, Galway International Hotel School, and food writer Sally McKenna will host a gathering of some of Ireland’s leading producers, chefs, restaurateurs, writers, bloggers, journalists, marketeers, & beverage experts from 9.30am to 2.45pm in venues throughout the International Hotel School. MC for the event is John McKenna. Events include topical discussion panels, Interactive Cooking Masterclasses, Whiskey, Beer & Wine Masterclasses and a “Fed Talks”-producer inspired lunch. Contributors include: Birgitta Curtin, Siobhan ni Gharbhaith, Olivia Duff, Yoshimi Hayakawa, Ali Dunworth, Lisa Regan, Gina Murphy, Seaneen O’Sullivan, Dervla Conlon, Helen Calvey, Martina Calvey, Jess Murphy, Caroline Hennessy, Cliodhna Prendergast, Maria Flynn, Aoibheann McNamara, Paula Stakelum, Audrey McDonald, Susan Boyle, Judith Boyle, Brid Torrades and Kim Young. See: https://www.gmit.ie/celebration-women-irish-food-industry-international-womens-day-event-gmit-galway-campus

All GMIT campuses are marking International Women’s Day by dedicating a space for the sharing of stories by students and staff called “Story Walls – Inspirational Women.”  In this space, they share stories of women who have inspired them in their lives. Stories and profiles of GMIT academics and graduates in Science Technology Engineering and Maths disciplines will also be shared on GMIT’s website. A social media campaign will also highlight and promote the events and activites throughout the three-day programme, inviting staff, students and visitors to participate and support the campaign.

Dr Michael Hannon, Deputising President of GMIT, says: “The history of International Women’s Day (IWD) is interesting as the first National Women’s Day dates back to 1909 in the United States. GMIT supports the principles underpinning IWD, in particular the principle of equality between women and men. The UN theme for this IWD is ‘Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change’. I encourage all staff to follow this theme, not just on March 8th, but every day.”

Cáit Noone, VP for International Engagement and co-ordinator of GMIT International Women’s Day events, says: “I would like to thank all colleagues and students across campuses for engaging with this global event. Through a series of seminars, exhibitions, talks and virtual engagement the Institute aims to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to addressing this year’s theme #BalanceforBetter and events taking place this week are only a small example of the work taking place in GMIT. IWD2019 is not a one day event but a reminder of the work taking place all year to address gender imbalance and resolutely challenge bias.”

For further information on GMIT International Women’s Day events, please contact Cáit Noone, email: cait.noone@gmit.ie

Read some profiles of our IT graduates from GMIT Mayo (Women in Technology) - pdf:

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
Tel. 00353 91 742826. Email: regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news

women-technology-seven-profiles-written-oct-2018.pdf (PDF, 236.28KB)