RTÉ

A Special Report

This week RTÉ's The Big Picture examines what it is to be a woman in Ireland in 2018. As part of the series we asked six young women to name the people who inspire them.

DJ Mona-Lxsa

DJ Mona-Lxsa is the founder of Gxrl Code, a collective for women in the Irish creative sector.

I admire Solange. It takes a lot for a woman to own a record label, be a producer and develop her own business. My inspirations are generally women who empower other women, that’s what I love about them.

Mary-Kate Slattery

Amateur boxer Mary-Kate Slattery, 22, is studying law at Trinity College Dublin.

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik is an amazing woman. She goes at life with a fearless energy and that really resonates with me. I also admire the former Irish ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson, who is a legend in Irish politics.

Katie McGloin

18-year-old Katie McGloin is studying for her Leaving Cert. She has set up a gender-neutral clothing company in Co Donegal.

I think it’s very important for young girls to have mentors. I am lucky to have a few in my life. In Ireland we are very lucky to have a lot of inspiring women such as Minister Katherine Zappone and former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh.

Eboni Burke

Eboni Burke, 18, is the welfare and equality officer for the Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU).

My heroes would be Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and Constance Markievicz, the first woman elected to Westminster and Dáil Éireann. I also really admire Michelle Obama. She is the change she wishes to see in the world.

Alana Daly-Mulligan

Alana Daly-Mulligan, 19, is studying English and History at University College Cork.

I grew up in the southeast so Saoirse Ronan would be a massive role model for me, as someone who does a lot of activism work. I think Aisling Bea is a really great young woman who is making Irish issues accessible to everyone through comedy.

Diane Dethier

Diane Dethier, 18, is studying at The National College of Art and Design. Originally from France, she is the subject of the 2018 Zurich Portrait Prize at the National Gallery of Ireland.

My role model would honestly be my own mother. I have seen her struggle so much to just keep a roof over my head and food in my mouth. Seeing her work so hard every day is really inspiring. I hope to be like her one day.