Stand Up, Speak Out: My Life Working for Women's Rights, Peace and Equality in Northern Ireland and Beyond

By the age of ten, Monica McWilliams was dispensing payouts in her granny’s post office, book-keeping for her cattle-dealer father and leaving no one in any doubt that she could stand up for herself. She went on to break the mould in so many ways, as a woman, as an activist and as a politician. In this frank and fascinating memoir, she tells her extraordinary story for first time. Now Emeritus Professor of the Transnational Justice Institute, Monica also chairs the Governing Board of the international NGO Interpeace and has worked with and for women in conflict societies including in South America and the Middle East. She is author of a number of journal articles, essays and reports on family and sexual matters; domestic violence; and human rights in Northern Ireland. This is her first book.  Anyone interested in Ireland, ending conflicts, making lasting peace, defending human rights, women in politics and feminism will love this book. Hillary Clinton As co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Monica McWilliams undoubtedly played one of the most pivotal roles in the Northern Ireland peace process. This is a stunning read ... one of Ireland’s greatest women activists. Bertie Ahern An unmissable memoir of a soaring hope for justice and peace, and of shocking misogyny. Women are so often written out of the history they make; women like Monica McWilliams make their voices heard, with humour and grace. Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondent  

About the Author :
Monica McWilliams is an activist, advocate and academic. She served on the management committee of the first Women’s Centre in Belfast and established the Northern Ireland Poverty Lobby. She started the first Women’s Studies courses in Ireland and produced a study of the experience of abused women that influenced the development of policy on domestic violence.  A co-founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, McWilliams took part in the peace talks that culminated in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. She served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for South Belfast between 1998 and 2003. In 2005 she was appointed Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, moving to the Transitional Justice Institute at the University of Ulster in 2011. She has served on the Prisons Reform Oversight Group for the Department of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, Fresh Start Panel on the Disbandment of Paramilitary Groups in Northern Ireland, and the Independent Reporting Commission monitoring progress on tackling paramilitary activity.   Now Emeritus Professor of the Transnational Justice Institute, Monica also chairs the Governing Board of the international NGO Interpeace and has worked with and for women in conflict societies including in South America and the Middle East. She is author of a number of journal articles, essays and reports on family and sexual matters; domestic violence; and human rights in Northern Ireland.