One of the most unique of the many events the Irish American Partnership puts on each year to raise money and awareness of its goals is its celebration of Nollaig na mBan, or “Women’s Christmas,” an old Irish tradition honoring women’s leadership within the family and community, celebrated each year in January by giving women a day of rest and merriment after the Christmas season.
The Partnership commemorates this holiday with breakfasts honoring prominent Irish and Irish American female leaders and the positive impact they have worldwide, as well as giving back to programs in Ireland. In 2019, the Partnership will host two Nollaig na mBan breakfast celebrations, one in Boston and one in Washington, D.C.
At the Boston event on January 10, Anne Anderson will facilitate a fireside chat with the eighth President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. At the D.C. event on January 8, Baroness May Blood of Northern Ireland will discuss her work with the N.I. Women’s Coalition and the Integrated Education Fund.
The Irish American Partnership (see page 82) works to empower the next generation of Irish leaders by supporting educational initiatives and community development programs in Ireland. ♦ Maggie Holland
Nollaig na mBan
Leave a Reply