Sarah Durcan, a key organiser of the #WakingTheFeminists movement, will launch her campaign for election to Dublin City Council in the Dublin South East Inner City area next Monday, 11th March.
“I’ve always been a collaborative and practical person, and I want to bring that approach to the city council to achieve better outcomes for all the people living in the city.”
Sarah Durcan, a key organiser of the #WakingTheFeminists movement, will launch her campaign for election to Dublin City Council in the Dublin South East Inner City area next Monday, 11th March.
At a public meeting which kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Central Hotel on Exchequer Street, Sarah will be discussing how to make Dublin a more liveable city for all. Brian Sheehan, general secretary of the Social Democrats will MC the event.
As a leader of the #WakingTheFeminists movement for gender equality, Sarah is a proven changemaker; Irish theatre has rapidly increased its female representation on its leading stages over the three years since the campaign started in response to the Abbey’s 2016 programme.
Speaking on International Women’s day, Sarah commented: “I’m delighted to be representing the Social Democrats in Dublin South East Inner City. The Social Democrats are the future of a more equitable, inclusive and honest way of doing politics in this country.
“I’m particularly proud to be part of a party where more than half of our candidates are women. Just over one hundred years ago women got the vote, so it’s high time that we see politics and our leadership structures being much more representative of all the people, of all genders and all backgrounds.
“I’ve always been a collaborative and practical person, and I want to bring that approach to the city council to achieve better outcomes for all the people living in the city. Working as a manager in the arts and now in science engagement has given me a great grounding in getting ambitious initiatives off the ground and bringing people together to get things done.”
Party co-leader Catherine Murphy TD said:
“Sarah is an exceptional activist and is hugely ambitious for her community and our capital city. I know she will make an excellent and energetic public representative and will bring a highly original and creative dimension to local politics and community initiatives.
“We really need to see fresh faces and new ideas in our local councils and the Social Democrats are offering voters in Dublin and around the country an opportunity to vote for that change by putting forward excellent candidates for May’s elections.”
The local elections will see the Social Democrats run some 58 candidates throughout the country, including 32 women. This level of female representation – currently at 55% – is unique for an Irish political party.
ENDS
8th March 2019
Notes to Editors: About Sarah:
Sarah Durcan is the Global Operations Manager of Science Gallery International. Originally from Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Sarah has lived in Dublin city centre for almost 25 years. She was a lead organiser in the #WakingTheFeminists campaign to achieve gender equality in Irish theatre by 2021, and convened a group of experts to put together Amplify Women’s toolkit on bullying and harassment. She serves on Board of the Abbey Theatre, on the advisory panel for Dublin City Council’s Culture Company, and previously served on the boards of Theatre Forum and GAZE Film Festival.
She has a background in theatre producing and financial management and worked for several years as the Executive Producer for award-winning Irish theatre company, The Corn Exchange. Sarah was the General Manager of Dublin Theatre Festival and then Dublin Fringe Festival. As a consultant producer and strategic advisor she has worked on several international tours for theatre and dance companies. Sarah has a BA in Communications from DCU and a MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from UCD.