Transcript of an interview with Mary Nelis, Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle, by Melissa Thompson for the Slí na mBan project in 1999. Nelis discusses the influences of community, family and gender on her early career politicisation and discusses the potential impact of women on peace and politics in Northern Ireland. The Slí na mBan project documents the lives of female political and social activists on the island of Ireland.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 1999
Name of First Interviewee: Mary Nelis
Role at time of Interview: Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle
Interviewer: Melissa Thompson
Purpose: Research
Media: Transcript
Copyright: © Melissa Thompson
Link: Read the transcript
Programme/Book/Article: Slí na mBan
Time Period covered: 1968-2009
Key Individuals: Mary Nelis, John Hume, Bobby Sands, Joan Carson, Iris Robinson, Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, Bernadette Devlin, Nina Hutchinson, Mary Ann McCracken, Ruth Taillon
Key Words: Sinn Féin, Assembly, Derry City Council, gender, religion, Oath of Allegiance, unemployment, education, health, Creggan, family, Housing Action Committee, Citizens' Action Committee, Relatives' Action Committee, Civil Rights movement, Special Powers Act, youth, Maze/Long Kesh prison, no wash protest, blanket protest, hunger-strike, publicity, Belfast Agreement, Good Friday Agreement, Women's Coalition, PUP, Belfast Féile