Mary Smithwick is the political editor of the Evening Echo Posted on March 19, 2023 by planirl

Mary Smithwick is the political editor of the Evening Echo, Cork’s evening newspaper. She is also the newspaper’s assistant news editor and sometimes editorial writer. Her coverage of local and national politics has given her a particular interest in the reasons women remain under-represented politically.

In her spare time, she has volunteered with the ISPCC for many years and is a passionate advocate on children’s issues.

· Because I am a Girl I ask … for no more than the same chances and opportunities as everyone else. Nothing more and nothing less.

· Because I am a Girl I believe … education is a logical path to equality. It’s a route out of poverty in poorer countries, it’s the best way to combat intolerance and it helps us to fulfill our potential,

· Because I am a Girl I hope … we get a decent childcare system for this country, and fast. The cost and inconvenience of childcare is one of the biggest barriers to women advancing to where they want to be in the workplace.

· Because I am a Girl I wonder … why so many woman don’t categorise themselves as feminists. To quote the author Caitlin Moran:

“What do you think feminism IS, ladies? What part of ‘liberation for women’ is not for you? Is it freedom to vote? The right not to be owned by the man you marry? The campaign for equal pay?”

I also wonder why our sense of self is so bound up in our physical appearance.

· Because I am a Girl I dream … about all kinds of wonderful, unattainable things. Dream big

· Because I am a Girl I remember … that while we’re still a long way from gender equality, we’ve come a long way. The generation before us had to give up their jobs when they married, and woman in senior positions in any workplace, industry or professions were almost unheard of. Things have changed for the better - it’s just that the pace of change is too slow.

· Because I am a Girl I like … to stop and count my blessings, or the good things in my life, or whatever you want to call them. It might sound twee, but it does make me happier

· Because I am a Girl I dislike … hearing women complain about other women’s choices. We don’t need to like other’s choices to support their right to make them

· Because I am a Girl I feel … lucky to live in a wealthy Western society. It’s not perfect, but it’s indescribably better than the conditions most of the world’s population endure, male or female

· Because I am a Girl I celebrate… the achievements of other women. We need to recognise the successes of other women, highlight them - shout them from the rooftops.