Search Results - Hussey, Gemma

Gemma Hussey

Gemma Hussey (; 11 November 1938 – 26 November 2024) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister for Social Welfare from 1986 to 1987, Minister for Labour from January 1987 to March 1987, Minister for Education from 1982 to 1986, Leader of the Seanad and Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 1981 to 1982. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wicklow constituency from 1982 to 1989. She also served as a Senator for the National University from 1977 to 1982.

Hussey made history as Ireland's first female Minister for Education and Fine Gael's first female Cabinet minister. During her tenure in education from 1982 to 1986, she introduced lasting reforms, such as the establishment of aural and oral exams and the creation of the National Parents Council. An advocate for women’s rights, Hussey worked to increase female representation in politics and highlighted gender issues in broadcasting as a member of the Working Party on Women in Broadcasting. Additionally, Hussey campaigned throughout the 1980s for the legalisation of divorce, a highly divisive issue at the time. In 2011, ''the Times'' summarised Huessy ideologically as a "heavyweight Liberal".

After leaving electoral politics in 1989, she became actively involved in the European Women’s Federation, encouraging women from former Eastern Bloc countries to engage in political life for the first time. She was a committed Europhile and supporter of the European Union. Hussey was also a published author, writing ''At the Cutting Edge: Cabinet Diaries 1982–1987'' and ''Ireland Today: An Anatomy of a Changing State'', offering insights into Irish politics and societal changes. Provided by Wikipedia