Remembering Baroness May Blood (panel)

Baroness May Blood (1938 - 2022) was regarded as a community worker, trade unionist, activist for integrated education and promoter of the needs of the people. She grew up in a working-class community before leaving school early to work in the Blackstaff Linen Mill where she learned her politics and her vocation in the vanished world of the mills of Belfast, a harsh environment of long hours with many lives shortened by unsafe working conditions.

A former president of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland and involved with the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, in 1999 she became the first woman from Northern Ireland to receive a life peerage.  Involved in community work throughout her life, she was also associated with the Greater Shankill Partnership.

Joining Professor Duncan Morrow (Chair) around the table are Avila Kilmurry, Betty Carlisle and Paul Caskey who will reflect on their memories of her and the enduring legacy she has left behind.

Avila Kilmurry is director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Betty Carlisle is Manager of the Shankill Women's Centre.

Paul Caskey, OBE, is Head of Campaign at the Integrated Education Fund.

Duncan Morrow is a Professor in Politics and Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University Belfast.