An educational campaigner who has dedicated his life to providing an alternative learning environment for those unable to continue in mainstream schools has been honoured with this year’s Spirit of Mother Jones Award.
Don O’Leary, who is in his mid-60s, was chosen by the Cork Mother Jones Committee in recognition of his work with the Cork Life Centre in Sunday’s Well where he has worked with young people who end up outside the mainstream education system.
Jim Nolan of the Cork Mother Jones Committee said they were particularly pleased to award the Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2022 to Mr O’Leary given how his work with children chimes with the campaigning work on behalf of children by Cork-born American trade unionist, Mother Jones.
“Don in his role as director of the Cork Life Centre has shown by his example and dedication to the young people how they can make progress within a different system which places them at its very core, and which attempts to meet their unique needs and requirements.
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“His efforts to further the rights of children over several decades resonate with fellow Corkonian, Mary Harris, aka Mother Jones, in her desire to remove children from servitude in the mills, mines and factories of America and ensure they receive an education over a century ago.”
Mr Nolan said Mr O’Leary had worked to ensure that no young person is left behind in the mainstream education system and thanks to his dedication, vision and hard work with the staff of the Cork Life Centre, he had provided many young people with a real opportunity to progress in life.
“Don’s practical and inclusive approach to embracing young people in their diversity and in the fostering of their individual unique abilities makes Don and the Cork Life Centre a worthy recipient of the Spirit of Mother Jones award for 2022,” he said.
A native of Ballyphehane on Cork’s south side, Mr O’Leary first came to prominence in Cork as a Sinn Féin community activist in Knocknaheeny on the city’s north side, but his community work was interrupted when he was sentenced to five years in jail in 1987 for IRA membership.
He served three years and ran for Sinn Féin unsuccessfully in the Cork North-Central ward in the 1991 local elections but eight years later was elected for the Cork North-West ward in the 1999 local elections. He resigned his seat in January 2000 on health grounds.
A father of two, Mr O’Leary has spoken recently about how he has responded to being diagnosed with terminal cancer, telling the Echo that the Cork Life Centre has an excellent staff and they will continue after he is gone while he has enjoyed every single day working at the centre.
“I’ve enjoyed every second of it, though some it has been really sad but there’s a kind of enjoyment in that as well, that you come out the other side and the younger person and the family come out the other side too, and you were part of supporting that,” he said.
“I’ve always been happy here in the Life Centre — this is my happy place here, here and at home, and I want to be here for as long as I can,” said Mr O’Leary, who will be presented with the Spirit of Mother Jones Award at a ceremony at the Maldron Hotel on Saturday.
The Spirit of Mother Jones Award is presented by the Cork Mother Jones Committee to the person they feel most represents the fighting spirit of Mary Harris, who, as Mother Jones, became known throughout America for her work as trade unionist and children’s right campaigner.
The Spirit of Mother Jones Award is the third honour bestowed on Mr O’Leary in the past year and follows an honorary doctorate of arts from University College Cork in November and a Cork Civic Award from Cllr Colm Kelleher in January for his contribution to education.
Among the previous winners of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award are Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Sue Roberts; homeless advocate Fr Peter McVerry; solicitor Gareth Peirce; anti-apartheid activist Mary Manning; and children rights campaigner Louise O’Keeffe.
