In celebration of 25 years since its formation, Lisnaskea Women’s Group has recently launched a book documenting the memories of the group over the years and highlighting its contribution to the local community, providing support, social opportunities and education for women across the area.

Entitled, ‘Shining A Light – 25 years of Lisnaskea Women’s Group’, the beautifully formatted glossy book features stories from group members, photographs, newspaper clipping and minutes from meetings, to name but a few elements.

25 years on the go, Lisnaskea Women’s Group was founded by Eilish Reihill in 1995 to bring women together from both sides of the community.

In the 1960s, after some time working in health practice in America, Eilish returned home to Fermanagh and took a health visiting post in Lisnaskea. She was attached to two GP practices, one in Lisnaskea and the other in Newtownbutler.

“At that time, women had big families and were just machines for producing children, for cooking, washing and cleaning. As their families reached adulthood, there were no jobs available, so their children had to emigrate.

“Mothers back then had no free time and didn’t have a chance to get to know their neighbours or make friends. It was a lonely existence,” explained Eilish.

With this in mind, she decided that she could make a difference.

“It was an era of change for women. Gay Byrne was on the radio opening up conversations about contraception, as women from Dublin were travelling to Belfast for the contraceptive pill.

Society

“Women started to have jobs and earn their own money, and society saw that women could hold an important job in the country,” said Eilish, going on to highlight notable positions of power achieved by women.

“Mary Robinson became President of Ireland, from 1990 to 1997, followed by Mary McAleese, from 1997 to 2004, and the changes kept coming.

“Men began to realise that women could be equals in jobs and sports. Women had dignity now. They had greater spending power, greater scope for social contacts and control over the size of their families.

“We encouraged mothers to learn to drive cars and further their education. These were our main objectives. This enabled families to get to sports and other cultural activities.

“With more leisure time, the traditional role of women began to wane. We were entering another, more enlightened age,” she added.

Eilish explained that she started the Lisnaskea Women’s Group to educate and befriend older mothers and single women who were living alone.

“With five other ladies, we held meetings and introduced speakers on various subjects. Soon others joined and we got funding to pay for a venue.

“We formed a committee. Kathleen Reihill, my sister-in-law, was the first Secretary. We had many outings and overnight stays.

“Alice Maguire took over the post of Chairperson from me and served for a short time,” said Eilish, adding: “Gertie Fee was elected our next Chairperson and served for four years.

“Lena Benson is the present Chairperson. Valerie Brown has been a very loyal Secretary and has served more than 20 years. She can motivate the group and takes no excuses!”

Fellowship

To this day, Lisnaskea Women’s Group continues to be a safe place for people to meet and come together for the purpose of building fellowship as well as exploring common interests and needs spanning health, welfare, education, culture and recreation.

Current Secretary Valerie Brown explained that she was invited to join the group by her friend, Pearl, in 2000.

“It was a welcoming and friendly group of older women and I became fully involved in all their activities.

“At the next AGM I was asked to be Secretary and have been in the post this past 20 years,” she said, adding: “I love being involved with this group of wonderful women who suffered through The Troubles and have come through it with enthusiasm to enjoy life and embrace change.”