20 February 2025 

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has paid tribute to party president Bríd Rodgers on her 90th birthday.

Ms Hanna will speak at a birthday celebration in honour of Mrs Rodgers at Derry’s Guildhall on Thursday evening.

South Belfast and Mid Down MP Ms Hanna said:

“Brid Rodgers is truly a one off. As she turns 90 today Bríd continues to be an inspiration to the SDLP, as our party President, and to a much wider political spectrum. She has lost none of the humour, clarity of thought and determination that made her a formidable force during her elected political career

“Like many ordinary people of her time, Bríd was dismayed by the injustice and division she saw. She got involved in the civil rights movement and later the SDLP after encouragement from John Hume. Bríd knew that if she wanted to see real change she would have to do something about it herself, and she’s been doing it ever since.

“A mother-of-six when she entered politics, it’s important to remember the significant challenges Bríd faced, not only threats from paramilitaries, but the outdated and misogynistic attitudes that blighted our politics at that time. Though we still have a ways to go when it comes to representation of women in our politics, the issues we face now are a far cry from those women like Bríd dealt with, and we have her to thank for being a trailblazer in that respect.

“Bríd was one of the few women involved the Good Friday Agreement at a senior level, providing some much-needed perspective, and also served as a Minister in the nascent Stormont Executive. These are huge achievements in their own right and to list all of Bríd’s accolades would take me another 90 years. On behalf of the SDLP I am delighted to wish Bríd a happy 90th birthday and to thank her for everything she has done not just for our party, but to make this island a better place for every one of us to live.”