UCD Library cordially invites you to
the presentation by Professor Mark Rogers,
Registrar and Deputy President

to Ms Gemma Hussey

of the

Descriptive Catalogue of UCDA P179 Papers of Gemma Hussey

on Friday, 18 November at 11.30am

Gemma Hussey is a graduate of UCD. She has a strong interest in arts and culture and served on the board of the Abbey Theatre from 1974-78. A liberal and feminist all her life, she was one of the founding members of the Women’s Political Association and was elected its chair in 1973. She writes and participates in debate and discussion on a wide range of subjects and has maintained a strong engagement with European affairs, in particular the European Women’s Foundation which she co-founded in 1990.

Gemma Hussey served as a Senator (NUI panel) from 1977-82. She was elected to Dáil Éireann as a TD for the Wicklow constituency in February 1982 and 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 1982-86. Following a cabinet reshuffle, she briefly served as Minister for Social Welfare and Minister for Labour. Gemma Hussey decided to stand down from Irish politics in 1989. She was appointed by the President, Dr Patrick Hillery, to the Council of State that same year. She remains engaged with a wide range of voluntary groups both social and cultural.

Please RSVP by 15 November to library@ucd.ie.

Find directions to UCD Archives here.