Concern at the under-representation of women in the county councils of the North West / Midlands region was the catalyst for the formation of the See Her Elected (SHE) programme in 2019.
SHE is a programme under Longford Women’s Link (a social enterprise in County Longford who work to ensure that women in Longford can fulfil their potential in a safe and equal society). Learn more about Longford Women's Link here:https://www.lwl.ie/
The success of SHE in the lead up to their first local election cycle in 2024 means the SHE Programme now has a presence in every county in Ireland.
The programme is fully funded by the Irish Government’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Michelle, Mairéad and Megan make up the small yet mighty SHE team.
Dr Michelle Maher
Dr Michelle Maher is the SHE Programme Manager. Michelle holds an honours degree in politics and history from Maynooth University and also completed her PhD there on the politics of pension policy in Ireland. She lectured on the University’s Politics Degree course before joining See Her Elected in January 2020.
Michelle lives in Westmeath but likes to remind everyone she is from Donegal.
Contact Michelle
Email: info@seeherelected.ie
Phone: 086 0320455
Mairéad O’Shea
Mairéad O’Shea is the Communications Manager for SHE. Mairéad is a former Media/PR Consultant and journalist with 20+ years of experience in media. Mairéad has an Honours Degree in English / Media & Communications from the University of Limerick and a Post Graduate Degree in Applied Communications from NUI, Galway. She also has vast experience in the political arena including election campaigns and has worked as a parliamentary assistant to a TD. She joined SHE in January 2022.
Mairéad is a proud Roscommon woman.
Contact Mairéad
Email: communications@seeherelected.ie
Phone: 086 4403948
Megan Flynn Dixon
Megan is the SHE Development Officer and originates from New Zealand. Megan worked in international business before settling in Ireland in 2017. She contested the 2024 Local Elections in County Galway and is bringing this experience to her role with SHE.
Megan's super power is organising.
Contact Megan
Email: admin@seeherelected.ie
Phone: 086 6011 627
What We Do
SHE supports women across rural Ireland to become county councillors and to be part of their campaign teams.
We provide FREE online political education, a free comprehensive practical guidebook, and a continuous series of FREE interactive workshops covering all the different areas any woman running for election or part of her campaign team needs to think about and have a plan for.
Statement of Values
SHE is a feminist, community led, rural initiative to support women into political life.
We believe in an inclusive Ireland where women’s human rights and equality are respected and protected, and women are not discriminated against.
We believe in showing dignity and respect to everyone irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, religious beliefs, political beliefs, ability, and sexual orientation.
We believe in working positively and respectfully together to change inequality in political participation.
We are committed to working from a feminist perspective to advocate these values.
Anyone wishing to engage with our initiative is required to hold these same values. Any political party or organisation you are associated with or are a member of must also align with our statement of values in order for you to join in our workshops.