The following remarks were delivered by Martina Curtin, founder of Mná Mheiriceá, at an event hosted by Consul General of Ireland Sighle Fitzgerald. The group was delighted to welcome WCVB Meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese, who shared her experience as a woman in STEM, highlighting that only 29% of the STEM workforce is women- a reminder of the importance of representation and mentorship.

On behalf of the Mná team, I am delighted to welcome you to our inaugural International Women’s Day celebration. 

International Women’s Day was first celebrated more than a century ago, in 1911, inspired by the courageous work of suffragists advocating for women’s rights, including the right to vote. But today, we also reflect on the words of 

Abigail Adams, a champion of women’s rights, who urged her husband, President  John Adams, to “Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.” 

Her words, written in 1776, still resonate today, reminding us that as women, we must continue to uplift one another - celebrating our successes and standing together during challenging times.

For today’s International Women’s Day Celebration  we are delighted  to partner with the Consulate General of Ireland Boston and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Consul General Síghle Fitzgerald for hosting us today.

Additionally, we are deeply grateful for the funding we receive through the Emigrant Support Programme, which allows us to bring women together—to connect, mentor, and celebrate all it is to be a woman. 

And a special Céad Míle Fáilte- a thousand  welcomes-to our keynote speaker, Kelly Ann Cicalese, whom we will hear from shortly

Mná Mheiriceá was founded in 2023 as a testament to the resilience and ambition of Irish women in America. From the earliest generations, Irish women have built lives here with determination, independence, and a forward-thinking spirit. Our mission is to foster a supportive and empowering network where women - whether they are recent graduates, stay-at-home moms, or working professionals can find mentorship, connection, and most importantly a sense of belonging. We believe that growth is not just an individual journey but a shared one, and together, we rise.

At the heart of what we do at Mná is community. We offer a vibrant calendar of events, including 

• Wellness Walks and Wellness Retreats, 
• Our Annual Business Breakfast in September,
• And, of course, our much-anticipated Glitz & Glam Holiday Party.

We’re also thrilled to share two exciting updates today:

1. This September, we will launch a mentorship program, with full details to be announced at our Business Breakfast. A special thank you to our board member, Niamh Shuman, for leading this effort. Please connect with her if you have any thoughts- whether from a mentee or mentor perspective.
2. This summer, we are launching our podcast: Mná at the Table. This will be a platform for real conversations and inspiring stories that celebrate the voices of women in our community. Stay tuned for updates on social media!

And to everyone in this room today, - you are Mná Mheiriceá. It is each one of you that makes our events successful, that brings our mission to life. Thank you for being part of this journey.

I wish you all a very Happy International Women’s Day.