Students display women who inspire them most

STUDENTS at St Marks Community School in Tallaght celebrated International Women’s Day with a special display, including purple ribbons which will be sold in aid of Saoirse Domestic Violence Services.

Staff and students at the school were one of the millions of groups across the world that celebrated International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8. In addition to the purple ribbons for sale the school will also be holding a bake sale on Wednesday, March 16, with all money going to Saoirse Domestic Violence Services.

“We started off by putting up posters on a board in our reception area of women who inspire us most. We had loads of people such as Malala to local people like Katie McCabe, who are big inspirations to us,” fifth year student Aoife told The Echo.

Speaking about the importance of celebrating International Women’s Day, Aoife said that she believes it is important to recognise gender inequality in today’s society.

“Many women are still objectified and subjected to bias,” she explained. “We want a world where difference is valued, and equality can be achieved. Purple is the colour of International Women’s Day because it represents equality.”

The school will also be inviting past students who have had success and achievements in their lives to come in to speak to the students in the coming weeks.

“We have had a few students who have gone on to do amazing things like Grace Edge, she is the Access Manager in Maynooth University, Anna Rose Prior, a consultant in Tallaght University Hospital and we also have Sharon Keegan, CEO of Peachylean.

“They have all gone to our school and gone on to have such success, so we invited them in to speak to the girls here to inspire them too,” Aoife added.