Sir, During her presidency, Mary Robinson's actions have brought me more reinforcement and happiness than any other public representative. Her recent visit to the Vatican was one such incident. How proud I felt when I saw my President visit the Pope in a manner befitting two equals.
Until I was empowered to drag myself away from the R.C. Church, I was the victim (like most Irish women) of many years of brainwashing which told me I was born in an impure state and could only receive redemption through a priest (male) (ii) I was a second class citizen who would never be good enough to take my place beside my male colleagues (iii) I should keep my (female) head covered in the presence of the Eucharist and Pope if I were "lucky" enough to have an audience with him (iv) I should recognise my husband as head of the household and obey him ("Wives, be subject to your husbands" Eph. 5:22) (v) I should obey Church teachings in all matters and allow them control me even in my own bed.
What a breath of fresh air to have lived to see a President who is no more than an egalitarian, a woman who believes in a pluralist society, a woman who believes that equality is a right, not a gift. My eternal gratitude goes to President Robinson and her adviser, Ms Bride Rosney. It will be a sad day for me when, two such fine women leave the Aras I hope their shoes will be filled by worthy people. Yours, etc.,
WIN for Change (Women's Initiative Nationwide for Change), 2 Haven View, Malahide, Co Dublin.
P.S. People who have forgotten the degree of control the R.C. Church had on women should read Uta Ranke Heinemann's Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven (Women, Sexuality and the Catholic Church)