A Picture’s Worth

from RCSI Alumni Magazine 2019

Caught on Campus

Women on Walls at RCSI, in partnership with Accenture, recognises the pioneering achievements of a group of extraordinary women and enhances the visibility of historical female leaders in healthcare. The eight portraits were unveiled in the Boardroom at RCSI this March

“R espect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation” are the values of RCSI and central to “Respect and Collaboration” is a deep commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, including gender equality in the workplace. By acknowledging the exceptional contribution of female doctors and nurses, future generations of women are inspired to contribute to and excel in the healthcare community.

To reflect that commitment, RCSI set out to commission portraits of exceptional female alumni. In March 2018, portrait artists were invited to submit a proposal to Business to Arts, project managers of the initiative. A selection committee identified six artists who were commissioned to paint the eight portraits. The artists worked with RCSI archivists to research their subjects and complete the portraits which now hang proudly in the Boardroom of RCSI’s historic building on St. Stephen’s Green.

The portraits were officially unveiled at RCSI by Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD and RCSI President Mr Kenneth Mealy. Speaking at the unveiling, Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor said, “Women on Walls recognises the pioneering achievements of eight extraordinary women and enhances the visibility of historical female leaders in healthcare. This project reminds us of remarkable women who are largely unknown outside their specialist fields. Eight women who were pioneers in medicine and science. All eight shared a compassion and care for humanity which was as a result of their training as nurses and physicians at RCSI. Throughout their careers they faced gender-based discrimination, refusals, obstacles and insults, however they persevered and achieved great things. It is a real honour to unveil their paintings here this afternoon.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Chief Executive, RCSI said, “We are immensely proud to unveil these portraits of groundbreaking RCSI women. These pioneers made significant contributions to education and healthcare here

Commissioned artists (left to right): Benita Stoney, Mick O’Dea RHA, Molly Judd, Catherine Creaney and Enda Griffin (William Nathans not pictured)

at RCSI, in Ireland and much further afield. We hope that by recognising them through this landmark initiative, we might inspire future generations of women and girls to pursue a career in healthcare and science.

“Each of these women had a profound impact and we want history to remember their legacy. It is our duty to help preserve their story and celebrate their achievements. It is right and proper that today they take their place not just on these storied walls of RCSI but also in the history of healthcare.”

A new Women on Walls podcast series was announced during the unveiling. The eight-part series celebrates the lives of these eight Irish women who forged careers in healthcare during a time in Ireland when women were expected to stay at home. Women on Walls is now available for download from Apple, Google and Spotify podcasts.

You can read more about Women on Walls at RCSI in partnership with Accenture and view the portraits by visiting accenture.com/womenonwalls and women.rcsi.com n

Dean Mary Frances Crowley (1906-1990) by William Nathans

Dr Victoria Coffey (1911-1999) by Molly Judd

Dr Mary Somerville Parker Strangman (1872-1943) by Mick O’Dea

DR VICTORIA COFFEY was the first female President of the Irish and Irish American Paediatric Association and one of the first female paediatricians in Ireland to investigate Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. DEAN MARY FRANCES CROWLEY was the founder and first Dean of RCSI’s Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. DR EMILY WINIFRED DICKSON was the first female fellow in surgery in Ireland and the UK. DR MARGARET (PEARL) DUNLEVY was the lynchpin of Dublin’s tuberculosis immunisation programme. DR MARY JOSEPHINE HANNAN was the first woman to train at and qualify from RCSI. SR & DR MAURA LYNCH dedicated her life to missionary work in Angola and Uganda, and established a pioneering fistula repair programme. DR BARBARA MAIVE STOKES was a paediatrician and change-making disability campaigner. DR MARY SOMERVILLE PARKER STRANGMAN was Waterford’s first female councillor, a suffragette and campaigner for women’s and public health services.

Dr Mary Josephine Hannan (1859-1936) by Molly Judd