The former Co-Directors of Together for Yes have said they are “honoured” to be included on the ‘TIME 100’ list, TIME Magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Grainne Griffin, a founding member of the Abortion Rights Campaign; Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland; and Ailbhe Smyth, Convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, appear on the 2019 list in recognition of their work leading the Together for Yes campaign last year.
Commenting today (17.04.19), Ailbhe Smyth said: “We are honoured to receive this accolade from TIME Magazine. It is evidence of the significant international ‘ripple’ impact of the Together for Yes campaign. The referendum result here in Ireland was a real boost for the morale of pro-choice campaigners throughout the word; and we hope it can be a beacon of light wherever and whenever abortion rights are denied, restricted or under severe threat.
“As a small country on the edge of a rich, powerful continent, our voice is not loud. But last year’s referendum showed just how far it can reach. In repealing the Eighth Amendment, Ireland bucked a trend. In countries like the USA, Poland, and even Germany, we are seeing the backlash against women’s reproductive rights intensifying. My hope is that our global recognition by TIME helps inspire those fighting for reproductive rights worldwide.
“Where abortion is concerned, Ireland has moved from virtually total prohibition to a relatively pro-choice position – although, it must be acknowledged that move took all of 35 hard, bleak years. Nonetheless, the referendum result marked a resounding defeat for misogyny and extreme right-wing forces.”
Orla O’Connor said: “The women’s movement in Ireland was at the centre of change nationally, in an emphatic manner that has been felt around the world, and this award is an important recognition of that. Building on 35 years of work, Together for Yes placed women’s voices and experiences at the centre. The Eighth Amendment was a cruel and restrictive law and, through the honesty and the lived experience of women and families who suffered, the Irish public listened.
“This was a moment in time when, led by women, our nation collectively stood up, and rejected a cruel past, where thousands of women were subjected – unnecessarily – to ill-health, shame, distress and judgement.
“Women’s rights are always hard fought, and hard won, yet the success of the Together for Yes campaign can act as a light for those still fighting for their rights. The Yes vote in Ireland had an immediate knock-on effect for women in Northern Ireland, who are currently denied the rights women have in Britain and now here in the South. Activists and campaigners in the North say they are seeing a groundswell of support, especially from young people, since the Repeal referendum. The NWCI, ARC and all of the many organisations that were involved in Together for Yes will continue to do whatever we can to support them in their struggle.”
Grainne Griffin said: “We would like to thank the thousands of volunteer campaigners and organisations across Ireland, whose dedication, hard work and commitment over months and, in some cases, years ensured the success of Together for Yes. This was a movement that really demonstrated the extent to which organised individuals can shape and influence the world we live in. Our inclusion on the ‘TIME 100’ list is a recognition of the role played by every single individual who contributed to Together for Yes.”
About the ‘TIME 100’ list
The ‘TIME 100’ list, now in its sixteenth year, recognises the activism, innovation and achievement of the world’s most influential individuals. TIME Editor-in-Chief Edward Felsenthal has said of the list in the past: “TIME’s annual list of the world’s most influential people is a designation of individuals whose time, in our estimation, is now. The TIME 100 isn’t a measure of power, though many on the list wield it. Nor is it a collection of milestones accumulated. As our staff considers candidates, we often find ourselves wowed by those with stunning lifetime achievements.”
The full list and related tributes appear in the 29th April 2019 issue of TIME, available on news-stands on Friday, 19th April, and now at: time.com/time100.
About Together for Yes
Together for Yes was the national civil society campaign to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Irish Constitution. The Amendment was repealed after the referendum on 25th May 2018, which saw an overwhelming 66.4 per cent vote in favour of Repeal. Abortion services have subsequently been introduced in Ireland as a result.
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Contact: Martina Quinn / Niamh Breathnach / Ciara Murphy, Alice PR & Events, Tel: 087-6522033 / 085-1461231 / 087-9626231, Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
Follow @TIME for updates about the list on Twitter and at Facebook.com/TIME and #TIME100.
