Maidens, mothers and rabble rousers : women's political involvement in Northern Ireland, 1790-2001

Abstract

Historically, women's political participation in Northern Ireland has long been neglected, giving the impression that women in Northern Ireland are agentless "victims" of history, and politically irrelevant to Northern Ireland and the period of its history known as the Troubles. However, by using a broad definition of politics and political participation--one which includes activities in the private and public realms--the history of women's political participation is uncovered, revealing that women have participated in a multitude of ways throughout the Troubles. Some women have participated as "maidens" or "mothers", reinforcing dominant gendered norms, while others have been "rabble rousers", challenging such norms; still others have been politically active as "maidens", "mothers" and "rabble rousers", reinforcing and challenging those dominant gendered norms. "Maidens, Mothers and Rabble Rousers: Women's political involvement in Northern Ireland, 1790-2001" seeks to uncover the history of women's political participation during the Troubles, while providing a historical context to Northern Irish women's participation.