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What Role Do Women Play In Ireland's Easter Uprising?

Decent Essays

2016 marks the 100th commemoration of the Ireland’s Easter Uprising. This was celebrated by a variety of people, then and now. The beginning of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic began with, “Irish men and Irish women (...).” This was one of the few times that women were seen on the same level as their male counterparts. Women played an important role in the rebellion in an era dominated by men. This was an important rebellion where women were just as valuable as men. Women helped to nurse and support the wounded, assisted the men, and helped fight in the Uprising. The 1916 Easter Rising came at a time where women’s roles and rights were shifting in Ireland and America. They could now vote and had more of an affect on the men. Women were …show more content…

Margaret Skinnider was an important female rebel. She worked for women’s rights for almost her whole life. As time went on, she learned to shoot to defend herself and her country from the British. She carried detonators in from Scotland for Constance Markievicz. She hid ammunition from the British, and this made its way to the rebels. She used her gender to reduce suspicion against her. For the Easter Uprising, she joined the Irish Citizen’s Army. Skinnider was a sniper for the rebels. During the battle, she was shot 3 times, but continued to fight as best she could. Later in her life, she applied for a pension for her service to the rebellion. She was denied one because of her gender. There are many other female soldiers who have been forgotten over time. Women’s role in the Easter Uprising has largely fell between the cracks.
America was the only other country besides Ireland said in the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The United States was one of the few countries to help the cause. One of the main reasons for this was because of the huge amount of Irish immigrants, men and women. The role of Irish-American women was important in the 1916 Easter Uprising. Secret societies were created to help Ireland’s cause. These important societies, such as Irish Women’s Council or the Daughters of Ireland helped to orchestrate the efforts behind the scenes, sometimes across the

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