Rhonda Paisley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rhonda Paisley
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| Member of Belfast City Council | |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 19 May 1993 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Peter O'Reilly |
| Constituency | Laganbank |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1960 (age 64–65) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | DUP |
Rhonda Paisley (born 1960) is an author and former politician from Northern Ireland. She is the second daughter of Ian Paisley, who was a very important political leader. He led the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and was Northern Ireland's First Minister. Rhonda lives with her mother in their family home. She went to Bob Jones University in the United States, where she earned a degree in Fine Art. Her father also received an honorary degree from the same university.
Contents
Rhonda Paisley's Political Journey
Serving Belfast as a Councillor
Rhonda Paisley worked as a city councillor for the DUP. A councillor is like a local representative who helps make decisions for the city. She served for eight years, from 1985 to 1993.
Lady Mayoress Role
In 1986, Sammy Wilson, who was the first DUP Lord Mayor of Belfast, chose Rhonda to be the Lady Mayoress. This is an important role that supports the Lord Mayor in their duties.
Leaving Politics
Rhonda Paisley later decided to leave politics. She said that the way politics worked, which she called the "game plan," made her feel frustrated.
Rhonda Paisley in Media
Guest Presenter on TV
Rhonda Paisley once had a chance to be a guest presenter on a TV chat-show called Saturday Live. This show was on RTÉ One, a TV channel in the Republic of Ireland.
Interviewing Her Father
During her time as a guest presenter, her own father, Ian Paisley, was one of the people she interviewed on the show.
Fair Treatment Cases
Case Against Arts Council
In 1998, Rhonda Paisley took a case to a special court called a Fair Employment Tribunal. This case was against the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. She believed she was treated unfairly because of her religious beliefs and political opinions when she applied for a job in 1995. The court agreed with her and she was given £24,249. Rhonda is a long-time member of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, which her father started.
Case Against Her Political Party
In 2005, Rhonda Paisley took another legal step. She felt she was treated unfairly by her own political party, the DUP, when she applied for a job there. She believed it was because she was a woman. Her father, Ian Paisley, was also named in this case. They settled the case outside of court, which means they reached an agreement without a full trial. The DUP also gave her an apology.
