Much has changed for women at home and in the workplace, but there remains a lot to be done in terms of equality.
Mamo (Mary Frances) McDonald, a former president of the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA), is now cathaoirleach of Age & Opportunity, the national organisation for older people.
She spent many years at home raising eleven children, nine of whom are boys. Maintaining boundaries was imperative for Mamo and her daughters.
Ours had to be a feminist household.
A line was crossed on one occasion, and Mamo McDonald followed through on a threat to go on strike, which brought the family to their senses.
Chief Executive of the Employment Equality Agency Carmel Foley also recalls growing up in an era where the women of the household looked after the men. She is mindful of how nuanced advancements in women’s lives are,
There are different ways in which you can measure the progress.
On International Women’s Day Mamo McDonald likes to celebrate her grandmother, who was a big influence. Having emigrated to the United States (US) before eventually returning to Ireland, Mamo's grandmother brought home experience of life in a different country. She ensured that her four daughters all received an education, and Mamo McDonald firmly supports this approach for any woman.
So that she can be a person in her own right.
Carmel Foley says financial independence changes how a person thinks about themselves for the better but should not devalue the work of someone who is at home full time.
In one way, we’re all women in the home.
This episode of 'Teletalk’ was broadcast on 8 March 1994. The producer is Ciana Campbell.
'Teletalk' was first broadcast on Monday, 5 October 1992 and continued until 1994. It was aired on RTÉ One from Monday to Friday immediately following the 11 am News Headlines and was billed as part of the RTÉ morning television schedule. Presented by Ciana Campbell, it featured a panel of experts chatting about the issues of the day. Contributions also came from viewers who phoned in to contribute to the discussion.
"On Teletalk, according to Ciana and her producer Agnes Cogan, any issue is up for discussion, and a new day means a new topic."
(RTE Guide, Vol.16, No.41, p.11)
