HomeLord Mayor's blog
Each week, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, provides an insight into her role and duties as mayor.
Return to my Alma Mater made International Women’s Day a special celebration
15 March 2010As I am only the second woman ever to be Lord Mayor of Belfast, last week’s celebration of International Women’s Day held special significance for me.
Of the many events I attended, a nostalgic trip back to my former school brought happy memories flooding back.
I returned to the classrooms where I spent my formative years and urged present day pupils to engage more fully in political life here and to fulfill their full potential whatever role in life they choose.
Interestingly the only two female Lord Mayors of Belfast – myself and Grace Bannister – are both past pupils of Bloomfield Collegiate
It is my genuine hope that what we have achieved will inspire other young women to step forward and engage in political life here. I believe that politicians should represent all shades of life – there should be no barriers to inclusion.
Throughout my term as Lord Mayor I have taken ‘Belfast without barriers’ as my theme. I believe Belfast is succeeding in becoming a welcoming, open, competitive and shared city – offering the best quality of life possible for ALL.
Gender should never be a bar to success and, thankfully, we in Belfast are surrounded by wonderful role models who prove that women are making a valuable contribution.
When I spoke with the pupils at my former school this week I was impressed by their enthusiasm to forge ahead and make the most of all of the opportunities life has to offer.
The contribution women have made – and continue to make – to the life of our city is immense.
