Bríd Rodgers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bríd Rodgers
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Rodgers in 2007
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| Deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party | |
| In office 2001–2004 |
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| Leader | Mark Durkan |
| Preceded by | Seamus Mallon |
| Succeeded by | Alasdair McDonnell |
| Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development | |
| In office 2 December 1999 – 14 October 2002 |
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| First Minister | David Trimble |
| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Gildernew |
| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Upper Bann |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 26 November 2003 |
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| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Dolores Kelly |
| Northern Ireland Forum Member for Upper Bann |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | New forum |
| Succeeded by | Forum dissolved |
| Senator | |
| In office 23 February 1983 – 25 April 1987 |
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| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bríd Stratford
20 February 1935 Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Political party | Social Democratic and Labour Party |
| Spouse | Antoin Rodgers (d. 2021) |
| Children | 6 |
| Residences | Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
Bríd Rodgers (born 20 February 1935) is an Irish politician who is now retired. She was born and grew up in Gweedore, a place in the west of County Donegal, Ireland.
Even though she was born in the Republic of Ireland, she was very active in politics in Northern Ireland. She was the Deputy Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) from 2001 to 2004. She also served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Upper Bann from 1998 until 2003.
Contents
Bríd Rodgers: A Life in Politics
Early Life and Education
Bríd Rodgers went to school in Monaghan and later studied at University College Dublin (UCD). She moved to Northern Ireland in 1960 and has lived there ever since.
Getting Involved in Civil Rights
From 1965, Bríd was part of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). This group worked to make sure everyone in Northern Ireland had equal rights.
Her Role in the SDLP
Bríd Rodgers was one of the people who helped start the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). She became the Chairman of the party in 1978 and then the General Secretary in 1981.
Serving in the Irish Parliament
In 1983, the Taoiseach (the Prime Minister of Ireland at the time), Garret FitzGerald, chose Bríd to be a member of Seanad Éireann. This is like the upper house of the Irish Parliament. She served there until 1987.
Key Achievements in Northern Ireland
Bríd Rodgers played a very important part in the talks that led to the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement, signed in 1998, was a major step towards peace in Northern Ireland.
Becoming an Assembly Member
In June 1998, she was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for the area of Upper Bann. This was a new government body set up after the Good Friday Agreement.
A Woman of Firsts
In November 1999, Bríd was given a big job in the first Northern Ireland Executive. She became the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. She was the first woman ever to hold such a high-ranking agriculture minister position anywhere in Ireland. She stayed in this role until October 2002.
Deputy Leader of the SDLP
In November 2001, Bríd Rodgers became the Deputy Leader of the SDLP. She continued in this role until February 2004. She decided to step down as an MLA in November 2003.
Personal Life
Bríd Rodgers was married to Antoin Rodgers, who passed away in 2021. They had six children together. Bríd is a native speaker of the Irish language. She also speaks French and Italian.
