RIBI Celebrates International Women's Day 2013
International Women's Day was marked Friday 08 March 2013 by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland by concurrent celebratory breakfasts in Belfast, Dublin, London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to celebrate the diversity, equality and dual gender involvement of Rotary worldwide. International Women's Day provides the opportunity to globally recognise and applaud achievements and at the breakfast the inaugural Rotary International, Northern Ireland, Woman of the Year Award was presented to Professor Dame Judith Hill.
Held at the picturesque Malone Golf Club overlooking the lake the breakfast was attended by over 100 business and professional women and men across Northern Ireland. Having enjoyed an impressive breakfast they were treated to a humorous and inspirational session of speakers.
Belfast Club Rotarian Carmel Owens, Director Version 1 Belfast addressed her reasons for joining Rotary last summer stating that although, like many people, she was 'time poor' she had been impressed by the projects the Club were involved with and she wanted to do something to help others. She has found Rotary is not just about friendship and fun, there is a strong sense of camaraderie, helping people to help others and there is no doubt that you are in good company, will get a warm welcome and meet and network with new people who are not in your own line of business.
Key guest speaker Anne McReynolds, Chief Executive of the MAC, gave a humourous and enthralling 'lessons learned' insight into the long and exciting journey that culminated in the creation of the MAC - the huge 55,000sq m (size of 65 3 bedroomed semi-detached houses!) purpose-built Arts Centre in Belfast. She described her 16 years of twists and turns that preceded its opening as one of the most frustrating, fear inducing, enjoyable and joy-filled life experiences of her life. She had had to deal with economic appraisals to stage adaptations, civil servants to movie stars, budget makers to end users and found in particular: women are better than men; its great to be 'old' and people behave very strangely beside world superstars! She concluded by noting that in the 10 months since its opening 260,000 visitors had experienced what she described as a fabulous transformative project for NI of which she was very proud and that she genuinely believed in the power and value of art.
The culmination of the breakfast was the presentation, by District Governor Elect Verity Swann, of the inaugural Rotary International, NI, Woman of the Year Award to the "unique and inspiring" Professor Dame Judith Hill, Chief Executive NI Hospice, in recognition of her outstanding services to palliative care services.
Introducing the Award Verity spoke about how Professor Judith had combined her nursing practice, management and leadership with a moral compass. Noted that she has been described by her colleagues and other professionals as having a presence - still but thunderous; professionalism - controlled but passionate and strength - gentle but powerful and that she had provided inspirational leadership to the Hospice when it was needed most. But above all her achievements she had something personally unique: "In a world where there is often a lack of reverence for life, dignity and human need in the face of cost controls and contracts Professor Hill has stood firm and resolute for the vulnerable, the disadvantaged and the voiceless. She is all that is great in nursing and all that is unique and wonderful about being a human being. She enhances our lives, our profession and our community."
The Belfast breakfast was co-ordinated by Past President Marnette Lyons (Belfast Club) who says this outstanding event happened because of a great team effort and is an excellent example of what Rotary is about. Other members of the team were: Past Presidents Mary Graham (Belfast West Club), Sandra McCabe (Lisburn Club) and Liz Doherty (Belfast East Club) (see photo caption).