A training course is helping women to write and publish their own books.
The Women's Community Press evolved from an AnCO (An Chomhairle Oiliúna), the national skills and training organisation scheme. Twelve unemployed women have been able to avail of funding from the AnCO Equal Opportunities Programme and a grant from the Council for the Status of Women.
The programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and was designed by Irish Feminist Information Publications Ltd. Since 1978 this group has provided specialist publications to groups which otherwise might not have access to such information.
Six women from the course set up the Women's Community Press which aims to produce and sell publications. Patricia Maher explains, projects such as these allow communities to have,
Their issues raised, their voices heard.
Lucy McCaffrey of AnCO is proud of a progressive training programme that functions to,
Integrate women into a new area of work for women.
The book 'If You Can Talk, You Can Write' was published in conjunction with the Women's Writing Group in Kilbarrack. This group was formed by a group of graduates from an English adult education class catering for Kilbarrack and Raheny. Bernadette Meehan says that their teacher encouraged them to publish their writing, believing that,
The thoughts and ideas of the ordinary woman at home was just as valid as that of the most talented writers.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 July 1983. The reporter is Michelle McCaughren.
