Valerie Goulding facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valerie Goulding
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|---|---|
| Senator | |
| In office 27 October 1977 – 8 October 1981 |
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| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Valerie Hamilton Monckton
12 September 1918 Ightham Mote, England |
| Died | 28 July 2003 (aged 84) Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | Sir Basil Goulding |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | |
| Relatives | The 2nd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley (brother) |
| Education | Downe House School |
| Occupation | Campaigner |
| Known for | Co-founder of the Central Remedial Clinic in Dublin, Ireland |
Valerie Hamilton, Lady Goulding (born September 12, 1918 – died July 28, 2003) was an important Irish woman. She worked hard to help people with disabilities. She also served as a senator in Ireland's parliament, called Seanad Éireann. Lady Goulding is best known for starting the Central Remedial Clinic in 1951. This clinic is now the biggest organization in Ireland that helps people with physical disabilities.
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Her Early Life
Valerie Hamilton Monckton was born in England. Her parents were Mary Adelaide Somes Colyer-Ferguson and Sir Walter Monckton. She was born at Ightham Mote, a special old house. Valerie went to Downe House School for her education. Both Valerie and her brother, Gilbert, later became Roman Catholic.
Her father was a British lawyer and politician. He helped Edward VIII during a big event in 1936. This event was when the King decided to give up his throne. Valerie helped her father during this time. She carried important letters between the King and the Prime Minister.
Her Work and Career
During World War II, Valerie joined the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. She then moved to the Auxiliary Territorial Service. In 1939, she met and married Sir Basil Goulding in Dublin, Ireland. He was an Irish businessman. Valerie moved to Ireland after they married.
Her husband, Basil, went to England to join the Royal Air Force. He became a Wing commander. Valerie served as a second lieutenant in the British Army. After the war, they both returned to Ireland. Sir Basil and his family managed a company called Goulding Chemicals.
Helping Others: The Central Remedial Clinic
In 1951, Lady Goulding started the Central Remedial Clinic with Kathleen O'Rourke. They began in a few rooms in central Dublin. Their goal was to help people with disabilities get care without staying overnight. The Clinic moved to a special building in Clontarf in 1968. It is still there today.
The Clinic changed how people with physical disabilities were treated. It quickly grew to be the largest center helping disabled people in Ireland. Lady Goulding was the chairman and managing director of the Clinic until 1984.
Working in Politics
Because many people admired her, the Irish leader, Jack Lynch, chose her to be a senator. She joined Seanad Éireann in 1977. There, she worked to make people more aware of issues faced by disabled people.
She tried to become a member of Dáil Éireann in 1982 but was not successful. Some people even thought she might become the President of Ireland in 1983. However, the current president, Patrick Hillery, decided to stay for another term.
Her Family
Lady Goulding passed away on July 28, 2003, in Dublin. She was 84 years old. Her husband, Sir Basil Goulding, had passed away earlier in 1982. Her oldest son, Sir William Goulding, was a headmaster at Headfort School. She had two other sons named Hamilton and Timothy.
