May Blood, founder member of Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, dies aged 84

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to Baroness May Blood, following her death on Friday at the age of 84.

Baroness Blood would be remembered for her impact as founding member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and campaigner for integrated education in Northern Ireland, and her loss would be “felt by so many,” the President said in a statement.

“The work she has done on the integrated education campaign, as well as her proud record of trade union activism and the bravest presentation of gender rights, have benefitted all those committed to building a generation who will enjoy peace and a shared life together,” he said.

“Baroness Blood was a truly progressive force. What she brought in particular was the emphasis on endurance in campaigns, knowing that change wouldn’t be instant but had to be kept moving.”

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Mr Higgins said he was “personally so struck by all of this” when she had a long visit in Áras an Uachtaráin in June 2021, in which she and the President “discussed all of these issues, and indeed discussed the things we would do together in the future.”

“Sabina and myself send our deepest sympathies to all her friends and family,” he said.

Newly appointed Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Owen Reidy said: “May Blood learnt her politics and her vocation in the vanished world of the mills of Belfast, a harsh environment of long hours and lives shortened by unsafe working conditions. From her teenage years, she was active in the Transport & General Workers Union, challenging mill bosses on behalf of a largely female workforce for decency at work and winning more money, shorter hours and better lives.

“That was her life’s mission, the advancement of working people, and challenging those who would divert those positive energies into sectarianism and division. She took risks for her neighbours, even being burnt out of her home at the start of the ‘troubles’, and later took risks for peace in supporting Labour causes, better housing, integrated education, women’s rights and, most of all, the trade union movement.

“She will be greatly missed by our movement, and yet her best memorial will be the continuation of her work by a new generation of activists. We will be her legacy.”

Former general secretary Peter Cassells, said he was saddened to hear of Ms Blood’s passing.

“She was a powerful union activist with a strong commitment to the unemployed, working women’s rights, integrated education and tackling disadvantage in the Shankill area. Given that Congress represents workers the Republic of Ireland and in both communities in Northern Ireland she was a great advisor to myself on the importance of respecting and accommodating.”

Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop John McDowell, said “the death of Baroness May Blood leaves Northern Ireland and particularly her home city of Belfast a poorer place”.

“May Blood was a formidable presence in any gathering, a quintessential Belfast woman who spoke directly and constructively from the depth of a kind heart, which had been nurtured in a loving home.

“I once heard her describe the knowledge of the love of her parents as the greatest riches she ever had. And so May enriched the lives of all who came into contact with her, although that Belfast directness and the slightly disbelieving look which said, “Do you think so?” meant that she could be a challenging dialogue partner.

“I know that May has been an inspiration and an encouragement to many people, especially to women, and in that sense her influence lives on in the lives of others,” he said.

Chair of the Methodist Church’s Council on Social Responsibility the Rev Dr David Clements, who knew and worked with Ms Blood during his time as a Methodist minister in the Shankill area described her as “a fearless and tenacious advocate for working families in the greater Shankill area and beyond”.

“During her life time she worked tirelessly for those who were underprivileged - economically, educationally and socially. May embraced and espoused Integrated education.”

The North’s Integrated Education Fund said it was “heartbroken” after hearing the news.

Born in Belfast, Blood was president of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland and represented the party until she stepped down from the House of Lords in 2018.

In 1998, Blood was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Ulster. She also received honorary degrees from Queen’s University of Belfast and Open University.