After the Train Irishwomen United and a Network of Change

The vast accomplishments of modern Irish feminism would look very different without the courageous, yet often overlooked, efforts of Irishwomen United activists in the years following the Contraceptive Train. This phenomenal collection of twenty essays offers first-hand, historical accounts of on-the-ground activities during this period, shining a light of neglected truth on the history of how Ireland was changed. In this book, writer and IWU member Evelyn Conlon together with academic Rebecca Pelan, ensure the impact of the organisation will no longer be forgotten. The collective memories of these women describe everything from pickets to sit ins, self-questioning to dancing, the development of feminist ideas and publishing despite the restrictive laws and attitudes surrounding them. Through relentless, difficult discussions, publications, marches and allyship with the global Feminist and Civil Rights Movement, the ideas of IWU were transformed into action for the sake of reproductive rights, sexuality, representation and rape crisis work. A foreword from former Irish President Mary McAleese contextualises the collective labour of IWU within a not-so-distant past in Ireland. This book also features an archive of original art, flyers, photographs and memorabilia of the movement, many of which appear for the first time in print. A glimpse at the long-winding track of history behind us reminds us how far we've come. Irishwomen United and their allies set the precedent for change for the next generation. The stories of these women campaigners are not only representative of past movements, but also a call to action for future social justice activists in the fight for liberation and equality for all.