Strip of 4 National Stamps (Women in Public Life)

On March 3, we issue four stamps that celebrate women who have made an indelible mark on Irish public life over the past 140 years. The stamps, honouring Jennie Wyse Power, Thekla Beere, Mary Robinson and Susan Denham, will be issued in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on March 8.

Take note, in particular, of the novel design treatment, which features a brief biographical summary for each person. Publicity materials concerning the women form the basis for the designs. These were used to promote greater public awareness of their efforts, of which there is much to celebrate.

Jennie Wyse Power (1858-1941) played a prominent role in the Irish War of Independence and was a former president of Cumann na mBan. She joined the Ladies’ Land League in 1881, served as vice-president of Sinn Fein and was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1922 to 1936.

Thekla Beere (1901–1991) was the first woman to serve as Government Department Secretary. In 1959, she was appointed to the highest-ranking post in the Department of Transport and Power. She joined the Civil Service in 1924, retired in 1967 but later chaired the Commission on the Status of Women.

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson (b.1944) has achieved international recognition as a human rights campaigner and climate change activist. A senator from 1969-1989, she later served as United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and was appointed Chair of The Elders in November 2018.

The Hon Justice Susan Denham (b. 1945) was the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992 and the first woman Chief Justice (2011-2017). She was the longest serving member of the Supreme Court when she retired. Called to the Bar in 1971, she became a Senior Counsel in 1987 and High
Court Judge in 1991.

Product code 2303ST