Foyle Women's Information Network's 30th Birthday

Foyle Women’s Information Network (FWIN) celebrated its 30th Birthday with a conference in the Guildhall.

The conference took place on Thursday, March 7 - the eve of International Women's Day. 

Based in Bishop Street’s Holywell Trust, FWIN was established in 1994.

It all began one May Bank Holiday Monday.

Together, Hilary Sidwell, then Derry City Council’s Women’s Officer, and the Development Officer of Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group (SWAG) completed the grant application which would enable FWIN to employ its first Development Officer - the inimitable Anne Doherty (deceased).

Back in the day, monthly meetings alternated between St Columb’s Park House and Foyle Arts Centre, where essential mobile crèche facilities were provided by Louise McMonagle (SWAG) and her brilliant team. 

Women arrived by bus from all over the city, including the lovely Beth Neely from Drumahoe, to participate in serious discussions and fun activities.

FWIN originated from a recognition of the need to support women and women’s groups throughout the North West, urban and rural, to develop their own skills and maximise their input to social, educational and political development locally and at a strategic level within the North.

In addition, there was a recognised need to support all women to address their educational, leisure, emotional, physical, health and well being and their cultural development.

And in the blink of an eye, FWIN’s Communication, Policy and Engagement Officer, Bethany Moore, was telling Derry News about the 30th Birthday celebrations.

“The conference took place from 10.30am to 1.00pm. It began with speeches from Mayor Patricia Logue and our Co-ordinator Catherine Cooke,” she said. “This was followed by an interactive workshop for women to make their voices heard; and a short spoken word piece from Mel Bradley.

“We then had a panel discussion on the journey of the Women's Sector, past, present and future and the work we have all done. Our panel comprised: Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist; Anne Carr, Women’s Coalition, who has campaigned for integrated education for years and was one of first people to secure an integrated school in Belfast; and myself.”

Bethany added: “Our keynote speakers then made short speeches. We were privileged to have Anna Doherty, CEO of Derry Chamber of Commerce and Katrina Gormley-Bradley from Ulster University’s 25 @ 25. 

“We finished the conference by watching a wee Happy Birthday video from groups and individuals sending FWIN congratulations and best wishes, before having some cake and cup cakes and a little bit of entertainment. The whole event was a great success."