Speaker Emerita Pelosi Accepts Honorary Degree, James Joyce Award and Sutherland Leadership Award in Dublin
Dublin – On Monday, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi accepted an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from University College Dublin (UCD), the James Joyce Award from the UCD Literary and Historical Society, and the Sutherland Leadership Award from Ireland INC. Speaker Emerita Pelosi was bestowed these honors in recognition of her many contributions to public life in America and all over the world.
These awards come after Speaker Emerita Pelosi received the inaugural Fulbright Ireland Public Service Award from the Fulbright Commission in Ireland on Sunday.
Read coverage of the events below:
University College Dublin: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi receives honorary degree for lasting legacy to public service
[David Kearns, 4/23/24]
One of America’s most consequential political figures, Representative and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has been awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by UCD in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment to public service.
A long-term advocate in the US on various issues such as LGBT rights, environmental protections, abortion, and during the AIDS Crisis, the Baltimore native has been played a pivotal role in shaping major legislative and guiding important policy decisions.
“[Speaker Emerita Pelosi] has made an indelible impact on American politics, occupying one of its most powerful positions - Speaker of the House of Representatives - during some of the most important moments in recent American political history,” said Professor Liam Kennedy, reading her citation.
“Tenacity, courage, dignity - these are values that distinguish the political character and career of Nancy Pelosi. These are values we warmly admire and share as we make this award.”
[…]
Alongside receiving an honorary degree from UCD, Rep. Pelosi was also presented with the James Joyce Award by Ayman Memon, Auditor of the Literary and Historical (L&H) Society for “not only providing a significant contribution to politics but for a long-lasting legacy that will serve as an inspiration for future generations to come”.
[…]
“Rep. Pelosi should be considered one of the most skilled and accomplished legislators in the history of the United States,” said Professor Kennedy.
“She has made outstanding contributions to American politics for nearly 40 years, providing a model of liberal democratic leadership that has been deeply influential in the US and admired globally. Such principled leadership and commitment to liberal governance is especially important to recognise at this time in light of the challenges to democracy in the US and beyond.
“It should be noted that Rep. Pelosi has long been a friend of the Irish caucus in Washington, lending her powerful support to matters of Irish interest. During the post-Brexit tensions between the US and the UK she repeatedly voiced the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement, and led a congressional visit to Ireland and the UK in 2020 to underline that support.”
Professor Kennedy further added that Rep. Pelosi’s leadership skills have influenced a generation of female politicians – that when she took office in Congress in 1987, only 28 women served in the US’s lower house.
[…]
Business & Finance: Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi receives Sutherland Leadership Award in UCD Dublin
[4/24/24]
Following an engagement at which she received an honorary degree and the James Joyce Award, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi was presented with the Sutherland Leadership Award at a special Ireland INC gala dinner in O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, for her significant contribution to democracy, equality and fairness throughout her career.
[…]
Recognising her contributions to public life, Ian Hyland, President of Ireland INC, said: “As a mother raising her children in San Francisco, she taught her children the principles of hard work, empathy and perseverance … a political career in which she would change attitudes, lives, livelihoods and the political landscape particularly for women, moving from homemaker to Speaker of the House.
“Eavan Boland once described the plight of women as being ‘Outside History’, but through her political and public life Nancy Pelosi, transcended traditional boundaries and became part of history.”
Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach, presented her with the award, stating: “Believe me, you’ve got a lot of supporters in this country.”
Politicians, dignitaries, academics, and business leaders were in attendance to witness Pelosi accept the award. “She has been an advocate for civil rights, social justice, throughout her career,” Kenny continued.
Across healthcare, women’s rights, economic opportunity and climate change, Hyland noted, Pelosi has “placed her hand on the arc of history and turned it towards a more positive and progressive future.”
[…]
Recalling the actions of US statespeople in Ireland, Hand said: “[They] were instrumental in helping us achieve stability, peace and finding common ground on this island which has been central to the success of our society and economy. And we have also benefited indirectly in a more globalised economic environment which has facilitated significant investment in our country and where Ireland now plays an important role in the global economy.
Ending on a note of gratitude, Hand acknowledged: “Speaker Emerita Pelosi is one of the best examples of that support and friendship which has helped our country and all of us – the leadership you have shown supporting the Good Friday Agreement and more recently reinforcing it in the context of challenges around Brexit was and is greatly appreciated and recognised by all of us and is an example of why Ireland places such importance on the relationship between our countries.”
[…]
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, upon accepting the award, said: “What a thrill to return to Ireland – both officially and personally. Since America’s earliest days, the Irish have been patriots for our country.
“They fought with us in our war for independence and joined Lincoln’s Army to help preserve the Union. For decades, Irish workers built our canals, ports and railroads. The Sisters of Mercy came from Dublin to heal our sick and educate our children.
“I am thrilled to be here personally, because of my family’s proud Irish heritage, and while I don’t have Irish grandparents, I do have three Irish grandchildren,” she continued. “Liam, Sean and Ryan Kenneally were baptised at Kilquade Church in County Wicklow.”
Noting his various list of achievements – including his roles as Attorney General during the height of the Troubles and as Ireland’s European Commissioner – Pelosi paid tribute to Peter Sutherland. “Mr. Sutherland made it his mission to deepen the cultural ties between nations: taking pride in establishing the Erasmus Programme, which stands as a pillar of European integration through educational exchange.”
Ending her speech, Pelosi spoke about democracy under threat due to “a conflict between democracy and autocracy – imperiling freedom, security and peace around the world … But know this: Hope remains democracy’s most powerful weapon against oppression, against cynicism, against despair. The Irish know this well. Ireland’s story is the story of hope – how, with courage, faith and determination, we can build a brighter future.”
[…]