International Woman's Day 2023 - Celebrating our EDI Committee Members

My name is Jane! I am a 2nd year Law student and I am also Chair of the recently established Law School Student EDI committee. I initially joined the committee as I saw it as a great opportunity to become involved in discussions relating to improving equality, diversion and inclusion within the law school. The committee’s main aim is to create a student space in which everyone feels comfortable enough to voice out any concerns. When I was elected Chair, it felt exhilarating, and made me realise that I should not let anything hold me back from going for what I aspire for. I definitely have a lot of things I appreciate Trinity College for, despite being a member of EDI; believe it or not, I don’t always complain about everything!

Being a female and also a black one at that can often feel like I’ve been hit with a double whammy and now it’ll be even twice as hard to climb the ladder. However, I have been fortunate to find my self in enabling environments which have empowered me overcome this. I remember coming into Trinity and seeing that our Provost and Vice-Provost were women! I was in so much awe as I had come from educational backgrounds where I had never seen a woman lead. I am extremely proud to be a part of the Trinity community as I do see progressiveness and dedication the College places into making here an equitable and inclusive space for women. Happy International Women’s Day!

I’m Enya, a second year Law & Business student. I’m part of the Law School’s EDI Committee. Being part of the Committee is important to me because I’m passionate about gender equality issues in particular. I have worked in women’s health for nearly 3 years now, which has really highlighted to me the importance of amplifying women’s voices. It’s crucial to have all women’s perspectives uplifted in order to educate others and improve the opportunities available to women of all ethnicities, ages, sexualities and religions.

I want to help contribute towards a better campus environment, better access to Law at Trinity for prospective students and better supports for existing students. These issues are central to the Committee’s goals surrounding gender equality (which encompass all genders). I hope the Committee can work to achieve noticeable differences in the student experience for women at Trinity. Happy International Women’s Day!

Hi, my name is Holly O’ Brien and I am a 3rd Year Law Student. I have a passion for change and improving the student experience here in Trinity. I have been involved in various societies and I am always eager to learn about different perspectives. From being involved in Trinity Women in Law, Trinity Access, S2S and now EDI, I can see the drive for change and how each person can make a difference by voicing important issues and educating others by doing this. I am very grateful to have worked alongside many incredible women the last few years and I am very inspired by them.

As Secretary of the EDI Committee, I am very grateful to be surrounded by other incredible students who are also eager for change and to further improve the college experience of other students to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is present in the student community.

To me, EDI is about making sure that the TCD Law School is the very best it can be when it comes to delivering an accepting and supportive environment for everyone, whatever your background and whatever the challenges you face on a day to day basis. As lawyers, we play an important role in society and it is essential that our profession is diverse and inclusive, from the very first day of law school. On a personal level, as mother to an almost 2 year old, a crucial part of EDI is accommodating family life and caring responsibilities. I love my job and I love being a mom: the flexibility of the Law School environment allows me combine those two passions!

I have been an EO in Trinity for over 30 years, in Physics, Germanic Studies and now Law. In my other (professional) life I hold a BA in Biblical & Theological Studies and a PhD in Irish Jewish History, and have written and published widely on different aspects of Jewish history, identity and experience in Ireland.

Because members of minority communities frequently experience othering, I feel it is important to raise awareness about this and work towards a society in which everyone automatically feels equal, welcome and accepted.