In 2014 Maria Walsh became the first openly gay woman to win the Rose of Tralee. That was one year before Ireland voted for same-sex marriage and since then the Mayo woman has remained in the spotlight with a broadcasting career and commitment to mental health advocacy. Now the 31 year old is standing as a Fine Gael candidate in the upcoming European elections. She talks to Women’s Podcast host Kathy Sheridan about her vision for Ireland and the strong commitment she has to her Catholic faith despite the attitude of that organisation to the LGBTQ community.

In this episode, Kathy also speaks to Grace Tallon, the woman behind And Still I Rise, an event being held on International Women’s Day, Friday March 8th, in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. Grace is one of the members of Sounding The Feminists and her event features only music composed by women including sets from DJ Mona Lisa and spoken word from Grace Dyas and others.

For more see https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/co-presents-and-still-i-rise-tickets-56148015225