‘Each for Equal’was the theme of International Women’s Day lunch
EACH of us can help to create a more equal world.
That was the message of the third International Women’s Day lunch, held in the Arklow Bay Hotel on Sunday last. Around 120 women from all walks of life in the town gathered in the Bay Suite for the event organised by the Arklow Town Team.
‘Each for Equal’ is the theme of International Women’s Day 2020 and centres around ‘an equal world is an enabled world’ where everyone is responsible for our thoughts and actions.
The tables were decorated with touches of purple, and each place setting had a cupcake, made by Wicklow woman Barbara Cooney, decorated in the colours of International Women’s Day.
The afternoon was opened by Cllr Miriam Murphy who welcomed everyone to this special lunch. Arklow Active Retirement group spoke about their ‘Arklow Through the Ages’ project that aims to digitise photos of the Main Street to recreate past incarnations of Arklow.
Participants were also treated to two fashion shows from local boutiques Faybella and McMullan’s who spoke about the challenges and rewards of being a woman in business.
A highlight of the afternoon was the keynote address by Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell. The outgoing senator, educator and broadcaster shared anecdotes from her career and life. She recalled that the first question she asked herself after Enda Kenny selected her for the Seanad in 2011 was ‘am I good enough?’. He told her the appointment was ‘not a gift, but an affirmation’ of her skills. She encouraged all those present to remember the strength of women and to work for the common good in society.
The afternoon included music performed by duo Acoustic Heart.
Organisers thanked everyone who attended or supported the event. Special thanks were extended to Orlagh Hall and Sinead Boddy of the Arklow Municipal District Office, the staff and management of the Arklow Bay Hotel and anyone who donated raffle prizes for the event.