Members of the Irish Countrywomen's Association have been urged to take leadership on the issue of asylum-seekers and to voice their concerns when they witness racism.
Speaking at her inauguration on Saturday, ICA president Ms Breda Raggett told members they had an excellent opportunity to make asylum-seekers feel welcome and to allay the fears of some Irish people.
"The warped thinking that suggests that almost every asylum-seeker or refugee is something between a criminal and a sponger must be challenged," she said. "We proudly send our sons and daughters to work with people far away. But when the people are on our doorstep, then it is a different story. Were they rich, they would be offered a red carpet and even a passport. But they are not, so they can be treated as less than human."
The new ICA leader encouraged members to develop relationships with women who are refugees or asylum-seekers. Ms Raggett said members should also forge closer links with women in Northern Ireland.
Addressing over 400 members, the ICA president said the time had come for the organisation to set new agendas. "We need to forge a new vision for our organisation - of our services to our members and our role in voicing women's views on our society."
Referring to the economic growth of this State, Ms Raggett asked if we had lost the capacity to enjoy ourselves. "We have fine music systems but no time to listen to the music. It's all go, go, go," she said. Commenting on the work of the ICA's counselling helpline, Ms Raggett said that the 'phone calls suggested life was not all it should be for many women and their families.
She encouraged women to take more time to themselves and to make a conscious effort to live their lives, not endure them.
Ms Raggett (51) is the 21st president of the Irish Countrywomen's Association. A mother of five, she comes from Kilkenny and has been an active ICA member for 27 years.
