See It; Be It – Book by Tallaght author aims to celebrate and inspire

A SOLICITOR from Tallaght has self-published a motivational and timely book that shares the stories of 20 inspirational Irish women.

Amy Martin, who grew up in a family of seven children in Tymon North, has published 20 unique stories, which aim to celebrate, inspire and motivate while raising money for charity.

Speaking with The Echo, Amy said that from a young age she always had an awareness of the systemic inequalities in society.

Over the years, this sense of awareness led Amy to numerous diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, both through her personal life and her career as a solicitor.

She has also inspired others through youth mentoring programmes, workshops with women from migrant communities and talks about diversity in the workplace.

Amy told The Echo how her involvement in an International Women’s Day event in 2021 was the catalyst for her new, self-published book, See It, Be It: Twenty Irish Women. Twenty Inspiring Stories.

Through interviewing women for last year’s event, Amy was inspired by their stories and believed they could be a source of inspiration for others too.

In a change of direction from her daily solicitor work, Amy set herself a task, to write and publish See It; Be It in one year – having it ready for publication by International Women’s Day 2022.

Writing in the book’s Introduction, Amy said: “The purpose of this book is to celebrate some of Ireland’s most inspirational women of 2022, with the aim of encouraging Irish women and girls to break down barriers and reach their full potential.

“Among the interviewees are politicians and entrepreneurs; award winning artists; athletes, adventures and medical practitioners; campaigners, activists and change-makers.

“They are women of all ages, from all walks of life, with unique outlooks and perspectives.

“I really hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did creating it.”

She added: “Strong female role models also improve our sense of belonging – if we see other women like us doing great things, we are more likely to pursue our dreams without fear of judgement, failure, or resentment.

“Thankfully, Ireland is, and always has been, full to the brim of inspiring, interesting and brilliant women that we can all look up to.

Among the 20 women included in the book is Senator Lynn Ruane and Tallaght entrepreneur and Peachylean founder, Sharon Keegan.

All profits from the sale of the book are being donated to not-for-profit organisations that promote and support gender quality, The Shona Project and Work Equal (formerly Dress for Success Dublin).

See It; Be It: Twenty Irish Women. Twenty Inspiring Stories. Can be purchased by emailing SeeItBeItByAmy@gmail.com.

Follow @seeitbeit on Instagram for more.