Bríd Rodgers at a special 90th birthday celebration, A Courageous Leader for Peaceful Change, organised by the John & Pat Hume Foundation and held in the Guildhall. Photos: Tom Heaney (nwpresspics)
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, hailed the “profound” contribution of Bríd Rodgers to the peace process.
On Thursday evening at the Guildhall in Derry, a celebration took place to mark Ms Rodgers’ 90th birthday.
A native of Gweedore, the veteran SDLP activist is back living in her native county again.
Families and friends were joined on Thursday by speakers including Mayor Lillian Seenoi-Barr, Simon Coveney, Mark Durkan, Dawn Purvis, David Adams, Claire Hanna MP, Mike Nesbitt MLA, Máiría Cahill and Joan Burton.
In a message played to the function at the Guildhall, President Higgins said: “Your contribution to the peace process, and to the wider work of nation building in the most inclusive and ethical sense, carried out with such determination and integrity, have been profound, leaving an enduring legacy that contributes to shape the society we strive to build – one founded on respect, understanding, and the recognition of our shared humanity, or as John Hume put it, to ensuring that our young people grew up in a different society – one that leaves violence behind, that is sectarian free and democratic.
The John and Pat Hume Foundation hosted the cross community event “to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary role” Ms Rodgers played “as a leader for peaceful change, from civil rights to peacebuilding and from the Good Friday Agreement to government”.
Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh provided the music while there were readings from the acclaimed poet and writer Damian Gorman and writer Susan McKay.
Taoiseach Michael Martin said: “February is the month we celebrate Brigid or Bríd, a name that can be translated as strength, power and life. It is also a time when we honour especially the achievement of women across the island. It is particularly fitting that therefore on this February evening to honour the contribution of a most cherished and valued Bríd, Bríd Rodgers…you have more than lived up to your namesake through your dedication to public service and to social justice you have made this island a better fairer place for all of our people.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said; “ You have not only lived through key moments in the history of these islands, you have helped to shape those key moments too.
Read next: Letterkenny & District Pipe Band ready for St Patrick's Day trip to New York
“As a founder member of the SDLP right through to playing a leading role for the SDLP in the GFA talks; you have both witnessed the dark days and the brighter days in life of this island , you put in the hard work and it was that hard work that helped bring those brighter days.
“Your appointment to the Seanad in 1983 by Garret Fitzgerald was a break through moment, not only for NI voices in the Seanad but also for female voices in our Upper House. Your various roles throughout the Peace Process culminating in you becoming the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the power sharing executive and indeed the first female Minister for Agriculture on this island shows how much of a trail blazer you have been in the life of this island.”
The SDLP leader, Claire Hanna, said Ms Rodgers was one of the few women involved at a senior level in the Good Friday Agreement and said she had helped “to make this island a better place for every one of us to live”.
MP Colum Eastwoodp praised her contribution “from the early days of civil rights to standing on the Garvaghy road with your handbag, from the continuous tiresome work you did to bring about peace and the Good Friday Agreement”.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.