A councillor tried to quash my political dreams — now I help women run for local elections

After a bruising and personal presidential election, you might wonder how many women have been discouraged from entering politics. The support on offer from campaign group See Her Elected is so steadfast,  you’d nearly consider running yourself, writes Clodagh Finn

Michelle Maher, Programme Manager, See Her Elected. Picture: Darragh Kane

In 2008, two years after she lost her husband James to cancer, Michelle Maher decided that she would make a good county councillor.

She saw so much that was wrong around her — the footpath that wouldn’t take a double buggy, the bockety slide in the playground — and decided she would take action.