Martina Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martina Anderson
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| Member of the European Parliament for Northern Ireland |
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| In office 12 June 2012 – 31 January 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Bairbre de Brún |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Junior Minister Assisting the Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 16 May 2011 – 11 June 2012 Serving with Jonathan Bell
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| Deputy FM | Martin McGuinness |
| Preceded by | Gerry Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer McCann |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Foyle |
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| In office 10 February 2020 – 13 September 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Raymond McCartney |
| Succeeded by | Pádraig Delargy Ciara Ferguson |
| In office 7 March 2007 – 11 June 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Mitchel McLaughlin |
| Succeeded by | Maeve McLaughlin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 April 1962 Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Spouse | Paul Kavanagh |
Martina Anderson (born 16 April 1962) is an Irish former politician from Northern Ireland. She was a member of the Sinn Féin political party.
Martina served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Foyle. She held this role from 2007 to 2012 and again from 2020 to 2021. She also worked as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Northern Ireland from 2012 to 2020.
In her younger years, Martina was involved in the Irish republican movement. She was imprisoned in 1986. After 13 years, she was released as part of the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. After her release, she began her political career with Sinn Féin.
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Early Life & Background
Martina Anderson was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. She grew up in the Bogside area. Her family was well-known for their involvement in Irish republican causes.
She has six sisters and three brothers. One of her brothers, Peter, was also a Sinn Féin councillor. Her niece, Elisha McCallion, was an Irish Senator and a Member of Parliament. Martina attended St Cecilia's College from 1973 to 1980.
Journey into Politics
Martina Anderson began her political journey after her release from prison in 1998. She quickly became an active member of Sinn Féin.
Becoming an MLA
In 2007, Martina was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. She represented the Foyle area. This was a big step in her political career.
In May 2007, she joined the Northern Ireland Policing Board. This board helps oversee policing in Northern Ireland. It was a significant moment for Sinn Féin members to be involved.
From 2011 to 2012, Martina served as a Junior Minister. She worked in the Northern Ireland Executive. This role meant she helped the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Serving in Europe
In 2012, Martina became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). She represented Northern Ireland in Europe. This meant she worked on laws and policies that affected Northern Ireland at a European level.
She was re-elected as an MEP in 2014 and again in 2019. She was very popular in the 2014 election, receiving many votes.
Her time as an MEP ended in 2020 because of Brexit. This was when the United Kingdom left the European Union. After leaving the European Parliament, she returned to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Return to the Assembly
On 10 February 2020, Martina became an MLA for Foyle for a second time. She replaced Raymond McCartney.
In May 2021, Martina announced she would not run in the next election. She resigned from the Assembly in September 2021. Pádraig Delargy and Ciara Ferguson took her place.
Images for kids
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Martina Anderson at the European Parliament.
