'You have to see it to be it': Celebrating women and making their contributions visible

“I am pinching myself. It is about being seen and being heard.”

Those were the words of Dr Naomi Masheti, psychologist, three-time UCC graduate, and Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre, in response to the news that she is one of 11 trailblazing women chosen for this year’s Accenture Women on Walls at University College Cork (UCC)

The group of pioneering women, visionaries and champions who have contributed to the betterment of society, and with links to Munster, will now feature in the new portrait series to hang in UCC’s historic Aula Maxima.

More than 600 nominations were submitted by members of the public following an open call for subject suggestions.

Dr Masheti, who works in the university and beyond it, was one of those chosen for the campaign.

“To be honest, it is about representation to see myself on the wall, and not just for me, but for black and brown boys and girls. I want them to have that moment where they think, ‘it could be me’.”

The academic and activist believes it is about race as much as gender.

“A lot of my work is about decolonising the curriculum. I work in UCC and in the community. I have been trying to build bridges between the two. A lot of black and brown people don’t see themselves in the curriculum, in the books, in what they are studying. Decolonising the curriculum is very close to my heart.

“You have to see it to be it. We don’t have a lot of black teachers. For me, being on the walls as a black woman is very important.”

She also sees her nomination as providing hope.

“I am pinching myself. It is about being seen and being heard. Honestly, it gives me huge faith in humanity. There is a lot wrong in the world but this epitomises a shared humanity. People see me as a human being. Not just as a woman or a black person. It is about being seen and heard by someone out there.”

The 11 women

Among the other women selected for the campaign are:

• Brigid Carmody, the coordinator of Cork Traveller Women’s Network, a grass-roots community organisation that works for Traveller rights, leadership, culture and heritage.
• Mary Crilly, a feminist activist and founding member and CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
• Caitríona Twomey, a volunteer co-ordinator of Cork Penny Dinners, a charity that offers food and support to people in need.
• Dola Twomey, a therapist/activist at the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
• Joanne O’Riordan, sports journalist, disability activist, motivational speaker and student of law.

The sole historic figure is set to be Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle (1718-1784), the pioneering educator, defender of the poor, and founder of the Presentation Sisters religious order.

Two medical doctors will receive the honour of a rendering; Dr Myra Cullinane, medical doctor, barrister and Senior Dublin District coroner who held the Stardust inquests; and Dr Patricia Sheahan, consultant palliative care physician and head of palliative care at University Hospital Kerry.

The arts will be well represented with Edna O’Brien, novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet and short-story writer to feature.

Dr Evelyn Grant, a musician, broadcaster, educator, arts advocate, social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Cork Pops Orchestra, is the final women to be selected.

The importance of representation

Dr Evelyn Grant says she has presented and performed many times in the Aula Maxima and never took much notice of the portraits on the wall.

“It never bothered me. I always considered the portraits to be just portraits of their time. They were also behind me, which helped,” she jokes.

Her mother greatly influenced her self-belief.

“I was reared by a strong women and so I was brought up to believe I could be whatever I wanted to be, so long as I had the skills and education.”

However, Dr Grant acknowledges what the younger generation has to say about representation.

“I listen to my daughters and they remind me that, for many, you can’t be what you can’t see. I understand that, and I feel it’s good for girls to see women depicted on the walls.

“I don’t like to think of girls sitting there and not imagining themselves as being whoever they may wish to be.”

The renowned musician and composer is incredibly proud to be part of the initiative.

Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC, said that by commissioning portraits of these “extraordinary pioneers”, the aim is to “celebrate their contributions and make Ireland’s female leaders visible in a collection that will inspire generations to come.”

Dr Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Accenture in Ireland, added: “We were heartened by the public interest in the next chapter of Accenture’s Women on Walls, with so many inspiring women nominated in response to our open call. This illustrates that we, as a society, are keen to recognise generations of women whose stories have not always been told equally. It will be a privilege to showcase the achievements of these outstanding Munster women as part of this campaign.”

Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts, said: “Accenture’s Women on Walls at UCC is a prestigious commissioning opportunity for Irish-based artists to represent trailblazing women on the hallowed walls of the Aula Maxima in UCC.”

The open call for artists will run until Thursday, January 16.

Applications can be made via the Business to Arts website. Qualifying artists are welcome to submit an application and concept proposal in response to the Commission Brief via Business to Arts before 5pm on January 16.

It is anticipated that the successful artists will be announced in spring, 2025, and that the completed artworks will be unveiled in winter, 2025.

See: https://www.businesstoarts.ie/about-us/news