Labour honours Chrisdina’s drive for education
CHARLEVILLE SCHOLAR RECEIVES LABOUR PARTY BURSARY
A YOUNG member of the Travelling community from north Cork, who overcame adversity and prejudice to graduate from UCC with a degree, has been honoured for her achievements with a prestigious accolade by the Labour party.
Labour leader Brendan Howlin was in Cork this week to present Chrisdina O’Neill with a special award under the umbrella of the 2018 Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary.
The Bursary, named after the leader of the Dublin Corporation who was killed during the Easter Rising, was established three years ago to commemorate 1916 has since been made into an annual award. It is open to any student in further of higher education who attended a Deis school and who has completed the Leaving Certificate within the past three years of their application being lodged.
Deputy Howlin said that throughout his activist years Richard O’Carroll believed in empowering young people through education and that the bursary/award would assist people as they progress through higher education.
He said that while this year’s overall award went to Emmanuella Jagha from Co Westmeath, it was decided that an additional award should be presented to Ms O’Neill.
“Labour has long been committed to the principle of making education, at all levels, accessible to everyone and has spearheaded policies to make education free-of-charge and to promote access to people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Deputy Howlin.
“In this context I am delighted to be awarding Labour’s third Richard O’Carroll Empowerment Bursary to two exceptional women who have overcome many barriers in order to pursue higher education,” he added.
He presented Ms O’Neill with her award during a ceremony last Monday evening at the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel attended by members of her family and relatives of Richard O’Carroll.
“Tonight, in Cork, I am presenting an award to Chrisdina O’Neill to celebrate her achievements of overcoming adversity and prejudice shown to people in the Travelling community,” said Deputy Howlin.
He cited an extract from Chrisdina’s application, describing it as “an inspiring insight into her commitment to social inclusion.
It read: ‘I have overcome every boundary put in my path. I have graduated from UCC with a degree and I am now in a position that can change lives and make for a better future, especially for those in the Travelling community, who can now see someone in a professional position and inspire them to continue their education. Empowerment is what I feel I do everyday!’
Deputy Howlin concluded by saying “I know that Chrisdina’s success will demonstrate to many others at third level education is truly open to all.”
Chrisdina is also a previous recipient of the NUI Equal Opportunities Scholarship.