On December 10, the final day of the 16 Days of Action opposing violence against women, the Primary Health Care trainees at the Mayo Travellers’ Support Group presented a hand-made collection of 146 flowers at the Linenhall in honour of those women who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.
Over a period of two weeks the trainees took the trainers in hand to teach them the art of flower making. As the hands busied themselves to the task, discussions were in full flow on the issue of domestic violence which crosses all communities. A red candle was placed in the centre of the flower presentation and the women chose a verse from Maya Angelou’s “Inaugural Poem”, which was placed among the flowers. The words read.... “Here on the pulse of this new day, You may have the grace to look up and out, And into your sister’s eyes, into, Your brother’s face, your country, And say simply, With hope, Good Morning.”
Together with the women from Mayo Women’s Support Service they lit the candle and offered prayers up for the women whose lives were taken unnecessarily and violently. Some of the women experienced a cold and empty feeling standing among the 146 shoes. Another felt the arrangement of the shoes reminded her of the scenes when the Jewish people were taken to the gas chamber.
After prayers were said the women were invited to a lily ceremony organised by the Mayo Women’s Support Service at the river by the church, which they found very moving.
