Note from Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald to Gemma Hussey, 24 February 1982
Gemma Hussey, nee Moran (11 November 1938 – 26 November 2024) was a trail blazing figure for women in Irish politics. She was a campaigner for more women in public life and became the second woman ever to be appointed to the cabinet, serving in Garret FitzGerald’s 1982 to 1987 government.
Hussey founded the Woman’s Political Association in 1973 and was chair of the organisation from 1973 to 1975. She went on to become a member of the Council for the Status of Women. She also served on the board of the Abbey Theatre from 1974 to 1978.
Hussey served as a Senator elected by the National University of Ireland panel from 1977 to 1982. During her first term she sat as an independent. In 1980 she joined the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and became the party’s first spokesperson on Women’s Affairs. She went on to become the Government Leader in the Seanad.
Hussey was elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for the Wicklow constituency in February 1982 having narrowly missed out on a seat in the general election held in June 1981. She was appointed as the opposition spokesperson on Broadcasting, Arts and Culture. She held her seat at the next general election in November 1982 and was appointed in the Fine Gael-Labour coalition government as Ireland’s first female Minister for Education from 1982 to 1986. After a cabinet reshuffle she briefly served as Minister for Social Welfare and Minister for Labour.
The government lost office in 1987 and while Hussey held her seat, she did not contest the next election in 1989. She published her diaries “At the Cutting Edge - Cabinet Diaries 1982-1987”, and became actively involved in the European Women’s Federation, encouraging women in former Eastern-bloc countries to become active in politics for the first time.
The Gemma Hussey Papers held in UCD Archives include papers relating to Hussey’s time as a TD and Minister for Education. P179/143 consists of a file of correspondence, letters, notes telegrams and cards from family members, friends, community groups, fellow politicians, local businesses and public institutions congratulating her on her election to Dáil Éireann for the Wicklow constituency. Included is a note from the Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald congratulating Hussey on her remarkable victory in the elections for the Wicklow Constituency (24 February 1982, 1p).
UCDA P179/143 Note from Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, 24 February 1982
P179/190 Black and white photograph of GH sitting at her desk, possibly in her constituency office, Not dated [1982-1986?]
UCDA P179/191 Black and white photograph of Gemma Hussey with the Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, [1982]
