Dublin women working in male dominated fields recognised in ‘Empower Her’ art project

Pilot Lisa Cusack and Fiona Coghlan, a former Ireland women’s rugby player and now rugby pundit, both feature in the project.

Lisa Cusack, an Aer Lingus pilot, says it’s an “incredible honour to be featured in this amazing project, alongside 53 hugely inspiring women, from all walks of life.”

“From my experience so far, I have not been treated differently,” she told the Irish Independent.

“I have done the same training and the same checks as my male colleagues and therefore have the same qualifications and treated accordingly.

“However, there are lots of things that could be improved for women in flying, most notably better maternity support, and not as important but still an issue, most pilot uniforms are still designed with men in mind. We need to move along with the times!

“I would say to other women, don’t think about gender. If it’s something you want to do, then just go for it.

“As I’ve gotten older it’s more so the women around me that inspire me. For example, I have a close friend with whom I studied Physics in college. She is currently in 4th year of medical school in RCSI, with three children. All my friends are juggling fantastic careers with young children, which I find inspiring.

“In the sporting world I find Katie Taylor and Katie McCabe hugely inspiring, and anyone that is brave enough to follow their passion despite the barriers that so often lie in the way. They have opened a world of opportunities for the next generation of young girls.”

Meanwhile rugby legend Fiona Coghlan is also “honoured” to feature in the project.

“I’m really honoured, I suppose from a women’s rugby and women’s sports point of view where that has come to see me kind of get that recognition, but also to be alongside so many other wonderful women as well is it’s a real honour.

“I was obviously playing a male dominated sport and then the media coverage now across the men and women’s game. I’ve been provided with opportunities and been really well supported by people.

“Sometimes I was a barrier to myself with opportunities as opposed to other people being that barrier. I think it’s about having confidence in yourself and trusting in yourself and what you’re capable of.

“I remember once I put a barrier on myself saying ‘why would they want me’ as opposed to what they’re actually asking me, so they do want me, I don’t overthink the male dominated part too much. Maybe it’s because I’ve been involved in it for so long and I just get on with it.

“In terms of disrespect, I haven’t been slated, that I know of, on social media for the role I do. I have no problem with some people not liking me as a pundit or commentator. But when they throw in the female card, I would have an issue with it.”

Fiona is now a mother and hasn’t let it affect her career. She thanks all the supportive people in her life who inspired her to keep working.

“I’ve a baby boy now, he’s two. I was back on air when he was six weeks old and that was a challenge. But I have a really supportive partner and family who made it happen because

“I was questioning whether I should not do it because he was so young, and I was still feeding him. My partner was so supportive. Whatever needed to be done he helped me make it happen. I’ve been lucky in that sense.

“If you want to do something, it’s about backing yourself, finding the opportunity and getting supportive people around you, whether that’s family or colleagues. I think there are way more opportunities out there now. Anything is possible if you want to do it and you want to work hard – those opportunities are there.

“Ultimately, it was my teammates, who got me out of bed at half-five in the morning to go to the gym and the late nights training on wet pitches, they were the ones I would let down if I wasn’t there.

“One of the girls, Tanya Ross, had a kid at the time and I don’t know how she kept playing. Some people were doing medical degrees, some had really intense college work and then were able to commit to international rugby as well.

“They were the ones who kept me going and that inspired me because there were very few female role models, particularly in rugby back then. The squad kept me going.”

Fiona believes that there are way more opportunities for women in sport now and hopes it can continue to grow.

“I think it’s got to do with the opportunities that girls are given at a younger age to be engaged in such diverse sports like back in the day, they might have just had hockey in school, whereas now there’s way more opportunities for them.

“Now we’re seeing improved pathways for them to get to a higher level and perform at a higher level. As a result of that, we’re getting athletes, whether it’s individual or team sports now performing.

“The standard of performance is excellent, and if you look across any sports whether it’s athletics or you go to the Soccer World Cup, they’re now performing because they were given the opportunities they were allowed to thrive in a pathway of excellence.

“On the flip side of that, we’re seeing more TV coverage, we’re seeing more sponsorship, so next we just need more bums on seats across all female sports.”

Linda Hanlon, a retired psychotherapist turned photographer, unveiled her debut project – a collection of photography portraits in an exhibition that captures the essence of female empowerment in modern Ireland.

Linda retired early from private practice following a bout of illness and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. She discovered her passion for photography and was driven by her curiosity about human nature, particularly the concept of personal empowerment.

Now, her display will be open until Wednesday, May 29 at the Central Bank.

It recognises a number of women’s achievements and their journey towards personal and professional empowerment.

“As a psychotherapist, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of personal empowerment,” Hanlon said.

“In Ireland, where the echoes of historical oppression still resonate, female empowerment takes on an even greater significance.

“Through this project, I wanted to shed light on the untold stories of women who have overcome challenges and emerged as figures of empowerment and to inspire the present and future generations of Irish women for decades to come.

“Their willingness to share their stories and vulnerabilities has been both humbling and inspiring.

“‘Empower Her,’ is a tribute to their courage, strength, and unwavering commitment to empowerment.”

Through her lens, Hanlon showcases the diverse experiences of fifty-four women like Dr Linda Doyle, a provost from Trinity College Dublin, Sharon Donnery, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Commissioner Mairead McGuinness MEP, journalist Zainab Boladale, Professor Lydia Lynch, Immunologist, Harvard University.

Others include Ivana Bacik, Labour Party Leader, radio presenter Helen Desbois from Dublin City FM and Frances Fitzgerald, Former Tánaiste, Minister, TD and Senator.

Five-hundred copies of a book with the collection of the photos are being published with 100 copies being donated to schools, “ensuring that the message of empowerment reaches future generations.”

The book features captivating portraits of “these remarkable women, accompanied by insightful quotes reflecting on their journey and the advice they would offer to their younger selves.”