Ann Louise Gilligan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Louise Gilligan
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Ann Louise Gilligan on 16 November 2014
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| Born | 27 July 1945 |
| Died | 15 June 2017 (aged 71) Dublin, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Alma mater | Boston College |
| Spouse(s) |
Katherine Zappone
(m. 2003) |
| Theological work | |
Ann Louise Gilligan (born 27 July 1945 – died 15 June 2017) was an Irish expert who studied religion and taught at Saint Patrick's College, Drumcondra. This college is now part of Dublin City University. She used to be a nun. Ann Louise Gilligan was married to Katherine Zappone.
In 2006, they went to court in a famous case called Zappone and Gilligan v. Revenue Commissioners. They wanted their marriage, which happened in Canada, to be recognized in Ireland. Even though they didn't win in court at first, Ann Louise Gilligan became a very important leader. She campaigned for the 2015 vote on marriage equality in Ireland. She succeeded in her goal, and her marriage was recognized by Irish law before she passed away in 2017.
About Her Life
Ann Louise Gilligan was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her family was well-off. She had one sister and one brother. She went to Loreto secondary school in Foxrock. After school, Ann Louise joined the Loreto convent and became a nun. She later said that this experience taught her the discipline she needed for her studies and work.
After leaving the convent, she worked in Spain and studied in Paris. In 1976, she was hired by St Patrick's College to teach about religion.
In 1981, while studying for her advanced degree in religion at Boston College, she met Katherine Zappone. They fell in love and got married in Canada in September 2003. Together, they started the court case Zappone and Gilligan v. Revenue Commissioners. This case began a ten-year discussion in Ireland about the right for all couples to marry. Their case was reported by news all over the world.
Her Work and Contributions
Ann Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone also started an organization called An Cosán. This is Ireland's biggest community education group. An Cosán has three main parts. These include a center for adult education, a place for early childhood education, and a social business center.
The Irish Times newspaper said that Ann Louise Gilligan and Katherine Zappone created An Cosán. Their goal was to bring valuable education to the Dublin area. A few years ago, An Cosán looked at 1,500 students who had attended their programs. They found that 1,200 of them had found jobs.
Ann Louise Gilligan used to be in charge of the Educational Disadvantage Centre at St. Patrick's College. She was also a member of a special committee that looked at educational disadvantage. In 2001, Micheál Martin, who was the Minister for Health at the time, asked her to create and lead the National Educational Welfare Board. Later, she was part of this board's Education Committee.
Her studies and teaching mainly focused on topics like education and gender. She enjoyed cooking, going to the theatre, and reading books. She owned a BMW motorbike. She used it every Saturday to do the couple's weekly grocery shopping in Blessington. She also volunteered for The Samaritans and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. In 2013, she appeared with her wife on a TV show called Room to Improve.
In 2008, she wrote a book with Katherine Zappone about their lives. It was called Our Lives Out Loud: In Pursuit of Justice and Equality. O'Brien Press published the book.
Her Passing
Ann Louise Gilligan passed away on 14 June 2017. She had complications from a brain bleed. In 2018, Dublin City University (DCU) named a lecture hall after her to honor her memory.
