Joan Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Burke
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|---|---|
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| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1969 – June 1981 |
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| Constituency | Roscommon–Leitrim |
| In office July 1964 – June 1969 |
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| Constituency | Roscommon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joan Theresa Crowley
8 February 1928 Bandon, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 27 October 2016 (aged 88) Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University College Cork |
Joan Theresa Burke (born Crowley; 8 February 1928 – 27 November 2016) was an important Irish politician. She was also a farmer and a nurse. Joan Burke served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1964 to 1981. A TD is a member of the Irish Parliament, called Dáil Éireann.
She was first elected to Dáil Éireann in July 1964. This happened in a special election called a by-election. It was held because her husband, James Burke, who was also a TD, had passed away. Joan Burke became a TD for the Roscommon area.
Her election was a big deal. She was the first woman ever to represent County Roscommon as a TD. She was also only the fourth woman to represent the Fine Gael political party since Ireland became a state. Joan Burke was very popular. She received the most votes in every election she ever ran in.
Early Life and Family
Joan Theresa Crowley was born on 8 February 1928. Her hometown was Bandon in County Cork, Ireland. Some people mistakenly thought she was from Tulsk, but that was where she later lived.
She first visited Tulsk to attend a friend's wedding. There, she met James Burke. They got married in 1959. At that time, James had already been a TD for five years. After they married, Joan and James settled down in Tulsk, which was James's hometown.
Fighting for Fairness
As a TD, Joan Burke worked hard to make things fair for everyone. She was strongly against something called the "marriage bar." This rule stopped married women from working in public jobs in Ireland. The idea at the time was that a married woman's place was only at home. Joan Burke believed this was wrong and fought to change it.
She also cared a lot about farmers. She was a strong supporter of their rights and worked to help them.
Retirement from Politics
Joan Burke decided to retire from politics in 1981. She had served as a TD for 17 years.
See also
- Families in the Oireachtas
