Quotes from prominent supporters

DemocraShe Participants

- Patricia Lewsley MLA, SDLP Party Chair, Councillor, Lagan Valley & Lisburn

“I just wanted to say how much all our Ulster Unionist women enjoyed and benefited from the DemocraShe training. I went to several sessions and found them greatly stimulating. Many who attended commented that they found the training very helpful as it provided them with new skills and increased their confidence in their own abilities. This training is especially appreciated because it is over and above what we can afford to provide for our local government candidates and local campaign managers.”

- Daphne Trimble, UUP

“The DemocraShe training prepared me for the 2001 general election in which I won the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Westminster seat by a handful of votes.”

- Michelle Gildernew MP & MLA, Sinn Fein, Fermanagh & South Tyrone

“DemocraShe was a wealth of practical information and training in the skills necessary for election campaigning and in the general arena of politics. I was not a political novice, but it proved invaluable to me. By reinforcing my strengths and working on my weaknesses in a comfortable environment, it not only gave me a new perspective on and approach to elections, but also increased my confidence and enthusiasm for the campaign and Council term ahead.”

- Councillor Joanne Bunting, DUP, Mayor 2004-05, Castlereagh

“DemocraShe enhanced my confidence greatly. It was a time to reflect and focus on the challenges ahead, with space and opportunity to direct all one's energies to getting elected. Media training proved especially useful – writing press releases and being interviewed in front of an actual television camera are vital parts of the learning process. No serious and ambitious politician should do without it.”

- Councillor Diana Peacocke, UUP, North Down

“I stood as a candidate for local government in 2005 – this was my first election! I had never knocked a door, written a press statement or spoken to camera before - the prospect of the training terrified me as much as the election.  DemocraShe was invaluable; by the end of the sessions I felt much more confident and informed.   Over the last year, through involvement with ‘Women in Local Councils’, I have found that there is a real desire for ongoing training of female elected representatives. Another programme would be very welcome.”

- Councillor Michele McIlveen, DUP, Newtownards

“DemocraShe 2003 encouraged me to stand and the 2005 programme helped me to get elected. The policy sessions gave me confidence to speak about issues and I learned a lot from sessions with journalists from press and television. DemocraShe was useful for building trust and networking with other parties. We need professional development programmes like this to build skills and confidence. Thanks for everything.”

- Councillor Bernie Kelly, SDLP, Belfast

“DemocraShe taught me many things as a first-time candidate, including how to build a good press profile. Learning how to manage ‘hecklers’ shed new light on how to deal with people!”

- Councillor Angela Nelson, Sinn Fein, Lisburn

“I decided to stand for Council in 2005 as a result of participation in DemocraShe. I found it very informative, your words of support encouraging and the quality and pace excellent.”

- Paula Bradshaw, UUP, Belfast

“I hit the ground running. I was unanimously elected as Mayor so I'm really pleased that other political parties supported me. Many thanks for all your help.”

- Councillor Roberta Dunlop, UUP, Mayor 2005-06, North Down

“Thank you for your personal interest and encouragement to each of us on the DemocraShe Programme, and for your warm congratulations after the election. I found the programme invaluable and believe I would not have come so far as I have had it not been for DemocraShe.”

- Councillor Maura Hickey, SDLP, Mayor 2005-06, Coleraine

“The programme gave me the opportunity to focus on electioneering, getting our message out, setting out our literature and using language succinctly, simply and clearly.”

- Carmel Hanna MLA, SDLP, former Minister, Councillor, Belfast

“I found the media training very helpful; and the exploration of our own worth. We sometimes take so much for granted within ourselves that we do not realise just what a benefit our capabilities are to others.”

- Linda Cleland, Alliance, Fermanagh-South Tyrone.

US Supporters

"The cause of women in Northern Ireland is essential to the cause of peace. The success of the Northern Ireland Women's Initiative can be measured by the political progress of the women they train -- and by the way they train them. By working inclusively across all party lines, NIWI is making real progress toward the Good Friday Agreement's goal of "full and equal participation" for women -- and is planting seeds of trust and collaboration among the different parties who must work together to build a shared future in Northern Ireland."

-Senator George Mitchell, architect of the Good Friday Agreement

"Democracy in which only half the adult population fully participate is a contradiction. This program recognizes the need for women to become full participants in the political life of their communities."

-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, on NIWI's launch at Stormont