They made a difference - Mo Mowlam

18 September 1949 to 19 August 2005, age 55

Those who know me, know it is almost unheard of for me to praise a Labour politician, but here it is.  Marjorie "Mo" Mowlam was an amazing woman, one who should never be forgotten and one who made a difference.

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photo credit: Bolckow cc

Mo was instrumental in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland, an event typically attributed to Tony Blair [a man who made the wrong kind of difference] but it was Mo who was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in charge of the peace process at the time.  Mo who made the difference.  Mo who sat for long hours at the negotiating tables.  Mo who disarmed the Unionist politicians by hugging them.  Mo who kept the meaning and importance of life in context as they fought over the balance of power and the details.... and finally Mo who told Gerry Adams, as he hesitated over the signing “Bloody well get on and do it, otherwise I’ll head butt you!”

It was Mo who made this happen while slowly and tragically dying of a malignant brain tumour.

Given just three years to live in 1996, even before Labour swept to power and before Mo was appointed to the top position in the Northern Ireland Office.   Given the Troubles that had raged in Northern Ireland since the 1960's with echoes back down the centuries to the Middle Ages.... it could be argued this was the most demanding and stressful cabinet position ever.  Yet she didn't flinch, she accepted the position not even telling Blair that her brain tumour was malignant, in fact leading him to believe the tumour was benign and could be treated.  Many might argue a woman with a brain tumour should not be in such a senior position of power and yet, she was and she won.  Everybody won thanks to Mo.

She was frank, often blunt and refreshingly honest for a politician, a Cabinet Minister at that.

One can't even begin to imagine the trauma she and her family were enduring.  Throughout the exhausting peace talks, she continued her chemo, taking medication to prevent her being sick so she could stay at the table.  A table that culminated in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement on 10th April 1998.

Sadly Mo died in August 2005, aged just 55, her determination to win ensuring peace for a time in Northern Ireland and more than the 3 years she was allotted in 1996.  In her short time, she made a difference!

Inspirational Quotes

"There was no metaphorical gun at my head, ... Putting my case face-to-face, arguing it through with them, I thought was the best way to do it"

"Many of us would like to make progress much quicker, ... But we have to bear in ind there are people around hat table who have had relatives and friends killed.  You don't forget that overnight." 

Useless facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Virgo
• Birthplace: Watford

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Mini update......

I have been a little busy for the last couple of weeks and if you spotted my other blog, you would know why but today, it's time for a little downtime and a couple of observations.....

Firstly I should mention I am spending a few weeks in Europe so it is interesting to see and hear the vastly different viewpoints.... Quite a lot of change since our last visit.... But the big stand out is the emotion associated with anti immigration and a notable increase in anti gay sentiment as well as more overt church attendance.

I can understand the immigration resentment, the UK is only a little island and cannot sustain such uncontrolled growth and certainly can't afford the huge financial impact on the social state. It is, of course, this feeling the UKIP are tapping into and although I don't support or condone their propaganda, Britain either needs to leave the EU or overhaul the benefit system. A referendum in 2017 is too far away, the strength of feeling suggests this issue needs to be resolved sooner not later.

I was highly amused to read this article about women wearing trousers to  "deliberately make themselves unattractive" ... Not only unattractive, but it is "hostile behaviour" ...... there was I, thinking our sole purpose in life was to please our men. Ohhhhh for a return to the Victorian era when women knew their place - barefoot, chained to the sink and ideally pregnant .... Not a huge surprise to note the author of this statement is the latest financial contributor to the UKIP! What is this guy on???? This is the 21st century!

.... On the plus side, the fact that his donation of £10K equates to 20% of all donations to the party this year suggests they aren't as popular as the media would have us all believe!

... [in case you didn't hear it, there was a jingle of sarcasm in that last paragraph] ...

I can't help but think Nigel Farage is reveling in his current news appearances, once again the word "hatred" is prominent in his dialogue..... Why? He is being deliberately provocative.....

Equally disappointing is the apparent anti gay feeling..... Such a retrograde and disappointing step .... It is time to put this argument to bed, whoever is sleeping in it! Once again, I refer to Maurice Williamson and his fabulous parliamentary speech in New Zealand recently... He summed it up perfectly...

Check out his video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCDEiaoEP2U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

They made a difference - Rosa Parks

4 February 1913 - 24 October 2005, age 92

Born Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, famous for her refusal to give up her seat on a bus to a white person! 

photo credit: rbanks cc

 
So, when you consider it is only a hundred years since she was born, consider just how recently African Americans were segregated.

We have all expressed outrage at South Africa's Apartheid and yet Rosa's show of defiance on a bus in the United States, in 1955 was just 58 years ago.  Rosa was arrested and charged, how quickly we forget!

photo credit: tobstone cc

Rosa was a brave and inspirational lady who played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement and along with people like Martin Luther King, she made a difference.  The people of the US finally did the right thing with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - just 48 years ago, bringing an end to discrimination although sadly not bigotry.

Inspirational Quotes

"I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free ... so other people would be also free"

"I'm tired of being treated like a second-class citizen"

At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this.  It was just a day like any other day.  The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in"

"It was not pre-arranged.  It just happened that the driver made a demand and I just didn't feel like obeying his demand.  I was quite tired after spending a full day working" 

Useless facts

• Sun sign (astrology): Aquarius
• Myers Briggs           : ISFJ

They made a difference - Helen Keller

27 June 1880 – 1 June 1968, age 87

Photo courtesy: jimmywayne cc

Born on 27th June 1880, Helen Keller was almost 2 years old before a childhood illness left her blind, deaf and dumb.  With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, Helen emerged from her silent world, learning to communicate, earn a degree and become a world famous speaker and author.

photo courtesy: WBUR cc

One cannot talk of Helen without also talking of Anne Sullivan, intelligent, partially blind herself and only 20, she took on the role of governess to 6 year old, blind-deaf Helen Keller, a relationship that later matured to lifelong companionship, lasting until Anne's death at age 70 on October 20, 1936.

The story of Anne teaching Helen to communicate is touchingly, retold in the 1962 movie, The Miracle Worker.

A strong advocate for improving the world for the disabled, Helen also made a number of topical political issues of the day, her own, including women's suffrage and birth control.

Keller tackled social and political issues, including women's suffrage, pacifism and birth control. She testified before Congress, strongly advocating to improve the welfare of blind people. In 1915, along with renowned city planner George Kessler, she co-founded Helen Keller International to combat the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition. In 1920, she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union.

Inspirational Quotes

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved"

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing" 

Useless facts:

• Sun sign (astrology): Cancer
• Myers Briggs           : INFP