- Dr Ailbhe Smyth
Ailbhe Smyth is a long-time campaigner on feminist, LGBTI+ and socialist issues. The founding head of Women’s Studies at University College Dublin, she has published widely on feminism, politics and culture. She chaired the National Lesbian and Gay Federation (NXF) for several years, and is a board member of Women’s Aid, and also of Age Action, and is co-founder and Convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the 8th Amendment. She chairs the board of Ballyfermot STAR Addiction Services.
Ailbhe was a Strategic Executive member of the Yes Equality (equal marriage) campaign in 2015. She has been fighting for women’s right to choose since the 1980s and was Co-Director of the Together for Yes national referendum campaign in 2018. She was named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2019 for her work in repealing the 8th Amendment. Ailbhe is a regular contributor to media and national debate on feminist and LGBTQ issues.