Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh from Shrule has been nominated in the search for Mayo’s most inspirational woman.
Ms Walsh is the first openly gay Rose of Tralee in the history of the competition and she was nominated for being a positive role model for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
The search for Mayo’s Most Inspirational Woman is part of a fundraising campaign for the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre.
Organisers are encouraging people to nominate a woman who is originally from Mayo, or living in Mayo, and who has inspired them in some way.
Mayo’s Most Inspirational Woman will then be announced at a gala event in the TF Royal Theatre on Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas ), on January 6.
Funds raised from the gala event will go towards repairing storm damage to the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre building.
Loretta McDonagh, acting director of MRCC is urging people to support the campaign.
“MRCC has been providing a vital service for over 20 years, offering information, advocacy, counselling, and support in a safe, confidential, and private setting,” she said. “At a time when funding for Rape Crisis Centres nationally is under continual threat and with the danger that yet another local service will be centralised, we are appealing to the community spirit of the people of Mayo to get behind us to fund our building campaign and ensure our service continues in Mayo for the people of Mayo.”
Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the event.
Nominations for Mayo’s Most Inspirational Woman close on December 31.
For more information on how to nominate or to buy tickets for the Nollaig na mBan gala evening, find MRCC on Facebook.
