International Women’s Day is always such an important day in our household. My mother worked tirelessly for equality and social justice throughout her short life. She was a product of the Swedish socialist system and believed deeply in fairness and human rights for all, something she imbued everything she did with. I remember her vividly in those formative years living in Waterford being at the heart of campaigning for women’s rights in Ireland, being part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, later joining and being a driving voice on the Council for Status of Women (CSW) and a devoted member of the epic campaign that ultimately saw Mary Robinson elected as Ireland’s first female President. She showed me and my sister that empathy, integrity and equality are fundamental to an inclusive society. In this photo she was merely at the start of her journey, and she burned bright, hard and true in a just a few decades. She was a hero and friend to so many. And to me too. I was lucky to have her as a mother and a role model. Remembering her today and knowing the work she did must continue for a better, fairer society