Pictured at the launch of Accenture’s Women on Walls are Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Business to Arts; Dr Michelle Cullen, Managing Director and Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture in Ireland; Dr Avril Hutch, Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, UCC and Professor John O’Halloran, President of UCC. Photo: Clare Keogh

Get an outstanding female leader on the wall

An open call for nominations for the subjects of a new series of portraits at UCC is set to close next week.

Accenture’s Women on Walls at UCC will recognise the pioneering achievements of outstanding women and enhance the visibility of women leaders from or linked to Munster.

Members of the public are invited to submit their suggestions on the subjects for the artwork by next Tuesday. The series will celebrate trailblazing women who have contributed to the betterment of society. When completed, the new artworks will join the UCC Art Collection and will be permanently exhibited on the UCC campus.

The campaign began in 2016 with the Royal Irish Academy, followed by a second campaign with RCSI in 2019, and a third with DCU in 2020. This is the first time the campaign has commenced with a public call for subject suggestions.

Prof. John O'Halloran, President of UCC, said: “It is important the diverse talents and contributions of women are recognised and that their stories are visible and celebrated. This campaign aligns with our university’s longstanding commitment to promoting and advancing equality, diversity and inclusion and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong.”

One Cork institution has called for their founder to be nominated by the Cork public. Nano Nagle Place is calling on the people of Cork to nominate Nano Nagle

As a pioneering educator and founder of the Presentation Sisters, she championed the rights of the poor and marginalised, establishing schools that provided vital education to impoverished children.

John Smith, CEO of Nano Nagle Place, added: “Nano couldn’t turn a blind eye to the struggles of those around her.

The stark contrast between her privileged upbringing and the harsh realities of poverty in her community ignited a fire within her – a determination to make things better for everyone, one act of kindness at a time. Her legacy lives on in Nano Nagle Place and around the world through the Presentation Sisters.”

Members of the public are invited to submit nominations by visiting www.accenture.com/womenonwalls and completing the online form.

Subjects may be living or deceased. The closing date is 6 August at 12pm. It is anticipated that the selected subjects will be announced in October.