Champions

IWSSN is fortunate to have the support of key individuals, to champion our organisation, our mission and our achievements.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister), Enda Kenny TD

“It is a privilege to visit the Whispering Hope Centre, to reflect on the journey of the centre and the dignity and grace you have shown.

“I am aware that out there, the state and Irish nation apologised to you, followed your stories and witnessed your transformation in a more insightful society.

“Out there, we showed little mercy and here we are asking you to be merciful to us, forgive us for abandoning you, and locking you up.

“While all this was going on out there, in here, in your hearts and heads, progress has been made.

“In here, we celebrate your lives, we’re uplifted by your sense of kindness, warmed by the prospect of the future. Your forgiveness started on a cold February night, when a nation took back a secret.

“While you have got your heritage back, you have given the country back to us. Ireland is so much more insightful than before. You redeemed us and restored our country.”

Irish Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD

“It really is true that out of small beginnings great things can happen – it is amazing to see the growth of IWSSN and what the organisation’s achieved nationally and internationally. Not only has IWSSN helped

thousands of women in the UK, the organisation has given hope to women who haven’t spoken out yet or might never speak out about their own experiences.

“IWSSN’s impact is truly immeasurable. The organisation and its members has had a huge impact on Irish history. IWSSN has been strong enough to reclaim the dark side of Irish history and support Survivors to see it in a new way. I hope that initiatives the Irish Government have set up have helped people and given people hope.

“IWSSN and its Whispering Hope Centre is incredibly symbolic and powerful. I have been so struck by how a handful of voices can make a difference. It’s joyous to celebrate the journey IWSSN has been on: starting as an informal group, bringing women together to support other women; then bringing in more and addressing their needs in holistic way; telling the wider world about their experiences; campaigning for the Irish Government to respond; and finally securing funding for a vision and to support women practically.

“The development of IWSSN is a story that should be recorded – we owe it to other women. His story needs to become her story.”

Irish Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Mulhall

“I am very pleased to be opening the doors of the Embassy to all parts of the Irish community in Britain, including community and welfare organisations, like IWSSN, who do wonderful work up and down the country.

“I never experienced anything remotely like what the Survivors had to endure, but I am part of a generation that was around at the time when Ireland turned its back on some sections of our society. We have a responsibility towards those with whom the State neglected its duty care in a serious and shameful way.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet people from the Survivor community and to hear directly of your appreciation of the efforts that the Government has made recently to redress past wrongs.  As Ambassador,  I represent Ireland in Great Britain, and am firmly of the view that those who have been let down by our country in the past deserve special care and attention.

“Our society has learned lessons from the past. But IWSSN, by keeping the testimony of Survivors in the public eye, helps ensure that those terrible experiences will not be inflicted on future generations.”

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“It is a privilege to visit the Whispering Hope Centre, to reflect on the journey of the centre and the dignity and grace you have shown.

“I am aware that out there, the state and Irish nation apologised to you, followed your stories and witnessed your transformation in a more insightful society.

“Out there, we showed little mercy and here we are asking you to be merciful to us, forgive us for abandoning you, and locking you up.

“While all this was going on out there, in here, in your hearts and heads, progress has been made.

“In here, we celebrate your lives, we’re uplifted by your sense of kindness, warmed by the prospect of the future. Your forgiveness started on a cold February night, when a nation took back a secret.

“While you have got your heritage back, you have given the country back to us. Ireland is so much more insightful than before. You redeemed us and restored our country.”

Enda Kenny TD
Enda Kenny TDTaoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)

“It really is true that out of small beginnings great things can happen – it is amazing to see the growth of IWSSN and what the organisation’s achieved nationally and internationally. Not only has IWSSN helped

thousands of women in the UK, the organisation has given hope to women who haven’t spoken out yet or might never speak out about their own experiences.

“IWSSN’s impact is truly immeasurable. The organisation and its members has had a huge impact on Irish history. IWSSN has been strong enough to reclaim the dark side of Irish history and support Survivors to see it in a new way. I hope that initiatives the Irish Government have set up have helped people and given people hope.

“IWSSN and its Whispering Hope Centre is incredibly symbolic and powerful. I have been so struck by how a handful of voices can make a difference. It’s joyous to celebrate the journey IWSSN has been on: starting as an informal group, bringing women together to support other women; then bringing in more and addressing their needs in holistic way; telling the wider world about their experiences; campaigning for the Irish Government to respond; and finally securing funding for a vision and to support women practically.

“The development of IWSSN is a story that should be recorded – we owe it to other women. His story needs to become her story.”

Frances Fitzgerald TD
Frances Fitzgerald TDIrish Minister for Justice and Equality

“One of the most powerful impacts in my career in politics has been when I met with [Magdalene Women] that day [and] the singing of Whispering Hope”

Enda Kenny TD
Enda Kenny TDTaoiseach (Irish Prime Minister)

“I am very pleased to be opening the doors of the Embassy to all parts of the Irish community in Britain, including community and welfare organisations, like IWSSN, who do wonderful work up and down the country.

“I never experienced anything remotely like what the Survivors had to endure, but I am part of a generation that was around at the time when Ireland turned its back on some sections of our society. We have a responsibility towards those with whom the State neglected its duty care in a serious and shameful way.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet people from the Survivor community and to hear directly of your appreciation of the efforts that the Government has made recently to redress past wrongs.  As Ambassador,  I represent Ireland in Great Britain, and am firmly of the view that those who have been let down by our country in the past deserve special care and attention.

“Our society has learned lessons from the past. But IWSSN, by keeping the testimony of Survivors in the public eye, helps ensure that those terrible experiences will not be inflicted on future generations.”

Daniel Mulhall
Daniel MulhallIrish Ambassador to the UK