Athlone-based activist honoured with Lifetime Achievement award
Athlone Traveller activist Maureen Ward was recently presented with the Lifetime Achievement award at this year's Traveller Pride Awards.
Maureen is Co-ordinator of Minceirs Whiden, which in Cant, the Traveller language, means Travellers Talking, a national organisation based in the ACT Centre, Parnell Square, Athlone.
Maureen, who lives in Tullamore, was recognised by the judging panel as being a tireless advocate for the Traveller Community and a human rights activist for over 40 years. She is also a trained and approved foster carer with TUSLA based in the Midlands.
Accepting the award, Maureen stressed the importance of the awards as a celebration of Traveller culture, but also as an opportunity to remind people of the particular challenges faced by Travellers.
“The Traveller Pride Awards give us a valuable opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Irish Travellers across a variety of fields, as well as showcasing the many positive contributions made by the Traveller community to Irish society.”
A recent interview with the Westmeath Independent was mentioned as part of Maureen's citation for her award.
Maureen has also volunteered in countless capacities at events, activities, and for many campaigns all over the country. In her free time, she provides foster care, and has even volunteered abroad at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. She lends a voice not only to the Traveller Community, but to those who are often overlooked in society for their age, the color of their skin, their ability levels, their country of origin, their educational backgrounds, and more.
Maureen has already made a tremendous difference in branding and in marketing not only for Minceirs Whiden, but for the entire Travelling Community. Earlier this year, she was featured on local billboards and on bus stop shelters fighting ageism.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday in the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin at which, RTÉ presenter, and producer Maia Dunphy was the MC. The theme for this year was 'Hidden Voices: a celebration of those less heard.'