Women of Freedom
Women should always be free and safe in our cities but as Norah Casey reports, until recently we had consistently given the highest honour Dublin can bestow to men over women. And now three women in one year were granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland pictured with (l to r) Professor Mary Aiken; Kellie Harrington and Ailbhe Smyth;
Three incredible women pioneers joined the Freedom of the City of Dublin roll of honour this month; Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington, activist Ailbhe Smyth and renowned cyberpsychologist Professor Mary Aiken. All with very different backgrounds but trailblazers in their own fields. After many years of men only honourees this year was symbolic but also a powerful statement.
The Freedom of Dublin comes with no money and some strange privileges - Bono and U2 famously grazed sheep in St Stephen’s Green to mark their new powers when they were awarded the Freedom in 1999. This year we have three ‘shepherds’ of a different kind and years of women being overlooked by our city was rectified by another woman pioneer Alison Gilliland, the 353rd Lord Mayor of Dublin and one of only 10 women in that role. The award of the Freedom of Dublin began in 1876 and was bestowed on only four women up until this year. They now join British suffragist Margaret Sandhurst, Maureen Potter, former Crown Princess Michiko of Japan and Mother Teresa on the roll of honour.
At the ceremony in the Mansion House, Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland said: "The Freedom of the City is the highest civic honour Dublin City can bestow".
"It is a privilege for me to confer the Freedom on these three most deserving recipients, Ailbhe Smyth, Professor Mary Aiken and Kellie Harrington”. The Lord Mayor paid tribute to Kellie Harrington for her sporting achievements and "unstinting work in the community, her caring exemplar and role modelling for young people". Ailbhe Smyth received her Freedom award for her human rights and social justice work along with her academic achievements. She lauded the work of Mary Aiken in cyberpsychology, particularly online safety.
In a passionate speech, self-declared ‘radical activist’ Ailbhe Smyth said she was "deeply honoured and absolutely delighted to receive the Freedom of the City I love and have lived in all my life".
She gave thanks to the Lord Mayor “for tackling a historical injustice in naming not just one but three women to receive the honour”.
"I think it’s a stroke of genius because there is no ignoring three women, you have made the point decisively that women's contributions are vital, varied, and excellent and it's time that should be acknowledged and celebrated”, she declared.
Prof Mary Aiken spoke about how the honour would amplify her work in cyberpsycology. "I don’t view this as an award for personal endeavour, I am delighted that it highlights the science and work focused on creating a safer and more secure cyberspace."
“It is an honour to be considered in the same roll call as JFK, Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa. I am equally honoured to be in the company of strong, pioneering female representatives of Irelands recent past, present and future”, she said. She told the audience that on average we spend seven hours per day using the internet, across all devices: “People are spending a third of their lives online”. She labelled it the “attention economy” and a commodity that represents “monetised weapons of mass distraction”. Her work with Interpol and other global agencies means she sees first hand ‘the toll online harm can take on mental well-being’. Particularly, she says for the ‘most vulnerable members, the children’.
Kellie Harrington took to the podium with no written speech, just a tissue she used to wipe the tears from her eyes.” I’ve no notes” she says laughing, just this tissue… “so I’ll wing it, that's what has gotten me this far”. Far from winging it she delivered a powerful and emotional speech, raw and honest.
She talked about being ‘blown away’ when she received the call about being honoured with the Freedom of Dublin.
“When Alison rang me I was going through a bit of a bad time because I had to pull out of the world championships and that phone call couldn't have come at a better time.
"She asked me if I would accept the award, I just had to ask her ‘Are you serious?’. Tears were flowing down my face.
"Then when she told me why she gave it to me, I couldn't believe it, it's one thing to be recognised for your sport but sitting here and listening to how I lifted people, that’s what I wanted to do.
“Just to be the best version of myself every day and bring the best version out in other people.”
Kellie paid tribute to her fellow recipients as ‘absolutely marvellous women’ and her family and friends who were in the room.
“I am literally rambling, I'm an emotional wreck…” she said.
“And on that note I’ll say Goodnight Irene”. Amazing song and an amazing woman.
The outdated privileges of the Freedom of the City of Dublin may be meaningless, but the statement of honouring three exceptional women in one year was powerful.
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