Monica McWilliams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monica McWilliams
Co-leader of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
In office 1996–2006 Serving with Pearl Sagar
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast South
In office 25 June 1998 – 26 November 2003
Preceded by	New Creation
Succeeded by	Alex Maskey
Member of the Northern Ireland Forum
In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998
Constituency	Top-up list
Personal details
Born	(1954-04-28) 28 April 1954 (age 71) Ballymoney, Northern Ireland
Political party	Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (1996 – 2006)
Residence	Belfast
Alma mater	Queen's University Belfast University of Michigan
Profession	Professor

Monica Mary McWilliams (born 28 April 1954) is a professor, peace activist, and human rights defender from Northern Ireland. She has also been a politician.

In 1996, she helped start a political party called the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition (NIWC). She was chosen to be a delegate at important peace talks. These talks led to the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998. This agreement was a big step towards peace in Northern Ireland.

Monica McWilliams was a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for Belfast South from 1998 to 2003. She also led a committee focused on human rights for the British and Irish governments. Later, she became the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission from 2005 to 2011. She also worked on improving prisons in Northern Ireland. Today, she helps oversee the disbandment of paramilitary groups.

She is now a Professor at Ulster University. She continues to research important topics like domestic violence. She also works on solving conflicts and helping women in areas affected by war.

Early Life and Education

Monica McWilliams was born in Ballymoney, County Antrim. She grew up in Kilrea, County Londonderry. She went to school at Loreto College, Coleraine.

She studied at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Michigan. Later, she became a Professor at the University of Ulster. There, she taught about women's studies and social policy.

Working for Peace and Rights

Monica McWilliams helped create the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition (NIWC). This political party focused on women's rights and civil liberties. She was inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King. She believed that human rights were very important in Northern Ireland. Her goal was to achieve peace through inclusion, human rights, and equality.

Role in Peace Talks

In 1996, Monica McWilliams and Pearl Sagar represented the Women’s Coalition. They took part in the multi-party peace talks in Northern Ireland. These talks led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. She was one of only a few women globally to sign an international peace treaty.

During the talks, she faced challenges but stood up for women in public life. She helped make sure the peace agreement included important things. These included support for victims and ideas for reconciliation. It also focused on integrated education and shared housing. These points were very important for the success of the Good Friday Agreement.

Political Career

From 1998 to 2003, Monica McWilliams was an MLA for South Belfast. She was one of two NIWC members in the Northern Ireland Assembly. She led the Human Rights Sub-Committee until 2003. In 2003, she lost her seat in an election. The NIWC party decided to stop in 2006 after ten years.

After her time as an MLA, she returned to her university work. In 2005, she was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. She served two terms, leading the Commission for six years. During her time, the Commission worked on advice for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Continued Work for Justice

In 2011, Monica McWilliams returned to Ulster University. She became a Professor in the Transitional Justice Institute. This institute studies gender, human rights, and conflict.

She was also part of a group advising on prison reform in Northern Ireland. In 2015, she joined a panel focused on disbanding paramilitary groups. From 2017 to 2021, she was part of the Independent Reporting Commission. This group oversaw recommendations from the panel's report.

Monica McWilliams also led the Governing Board of Interpeace. This is an international organization based in Geneva. She has written books and research studies about domestic violence. Her research helped create the first government policy on domestic violence. She has also worked with women in conflict areas around the world.

In 1998, she received the John F. Kennedy Library Profile in Courage Award. This award was given to nine people involved in the Northern Ireland peace process. In 2019, she was a guest on the radio show "Desert Island Discs." She was also featured in a documentary about the Women's Coalition.

Her book, Stand up Speak Out: My Life working for women's rights, peace and equality in Northern Ireland and beyond, was published in 2021. In 2023, she became a member of the Royal Irish Academy.

Awards and Recognition

Monica McWilliams has received many awards for her work. In 1999, she received the Frank Cousins Peace Award. She has also received honorary doctorates from several universities. These include University of York, Queen's University Belfast, and Trinity College Dublin.

In 2018, she received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Business. This was to celebrate 100 years of women's right to vote. Also in 2018, she was added to The Irish Tatler Hall of Fame. In November 2023, the BBC included her on their 100 Women list.

See also

• List of peace activists