In episode number 15 of ONE Conversation, The Making of an Activist, Fiona Dunne talks to Linda Kelly, National Officer with Fórsa trade union and feminist activist. They talk about a range of roles which Linda has had throughout her career including in student union politics, working with Fórsa trade union as an organiser, then as the Director of Training & Development and now, in her current role, as national officer with responsibility for social and health care workers.
It’s a story which started in secondary school involving a campaign to change the uniform rules for girls, inspired by a similar issue with Bank of Ireland. The campaign was a success, Linda was bitten and the rest as they say is history.
She talks about always feeling an incredible need to make positive change, regardless of experiencing her first loss in student union politics at second level, which obviously didn’t deter her. Instead, she got stuck into student union politics at third-level because she was determined to work on behalf of others and change, what she describes as injustice and unfair treatment as she saw them across a range of areas. Linda has always had a sense of her own value and worth and never doubted the importance of her own voice, a sentiment which she carried from school, through college and into the workplace and something which informed her work as Director of Training and Development.
As a student of speech and language, she became a class rep and got involved in the UCC Student union where she found her “tribe”, her voice and her platform. She understands that key stakeholders should always be heard and empowered to get involved in discussions regarding issues that have a direct impact on them, which also corresponds with the aims of the trade union movement.
Talk then turns to institutional engagement, which can be perceived as positive but can c0nstrain
activists whilst merely ticking boxes, and leads into a broader discussion on power, who has it,
who wants it and what to do with it. She is open about her own insecurities and lack of confidence, where the capacity to speak
publicly often gets mistaken for confidence, a feeling which many activists may share. Diversity and equality are central pillars to her work, whether it is bringing diverse opinions to campaigns, raising awareness of gender issues or fighting for better maternity services. Linda is a very strong advocate for removing barriers to access and making progress across the various equality grounds including gender. She also strongly believes in the public sector and the necessity for investing in quality public services.
What keeps her going is to keep asking the question, is the treatment/services for women and working people in this country acceptable? Can I make a difference? She suggests the trade union movement can and has made a difference, but that it needs to keep up more with changing society and adapt how we work to the changing needs of workers, including the needs of the new generation of activists. When trade unions thrive, society thrives and families thrive and many people want to make a difference in whatever community they are in, but often don’t know how or have the necessary resources.
This conversation is hugely beneficial to anyone who feels they want to engage in their workplace or community and don’t know where to start. Just take Linda’s golden piece of advice and stop talking about it and just do it.
Grab a cuppa and join us for an inspiring conversation.
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