Ann Louise Gilligan
| Ann Louise Gilligan | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Theologian |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse(s) | Katherine Zappone (m. 2003) |
Ann Louise Gilligan is a feminist theologian[1] who is currently working at Saint Patrick's College, Drumcondra (part of Dublin City University). A former nun, she is the wife of Katherine Zappone T.D.. In Zappone and Gilligan v. Revenue Commissioners (2006), they unsuccessfully sought recognition of their Canadian marriage.
Gilligan is a former nun, a circumstance she credits with instilling in her the discipline to fulfill an academic career.[1] After leaving the convent, she worked in Spain and studied in Paris before being hired by St Patrick's College to teach theology in 1976.[1][2]
In 1981, while studying for her doctorate in theology at Boston College, she met and fell in love with fellow student Katherine Zappone. In September 2003, they married in Canada.[1] Together they fought Zappone and Gilligan v. Revenue Commissioners, which set off a decade of debate on marriage equality in Ireland. That case made global headlines.[3] Together they also founded An Cosán, Ireland's largest community education organisation.[4][5] An Cosán now houses three operations; The Shanty Education and Training Centre, an adult community education centre, Rainbow House, an early childhood education and care facility, and Fledglings, a social enterprise centre.[6] According to The Irish Times, An Cosán "was established by Gilligan and Zappone with the intention of bringing valuable community-based education to the Dublin suburb… Two years ago An Cosán attempted to track the progress of 1,500 past students and found 1,200 were employed."[7]
A former Director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre at St. Patrick's College, Gilligan is a former Member of the Statutory Committee on Educational Disadvantage.[8] In 2001, the Minister for Health asked her to form and chair the National Educational Welfare Board.[2] She later sat on the NEWB's Education Committee.[8]
Her academic work focuses on subjects like education and gender.[8] She enjoys cooking, theatre and reading. She has a BMW motorbike, which she uses to carry out the couple's weekly grocery shop each Saturday in Blessington.[1] She has been in The Samaritans and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.[1] She appeared with her spouse on an episode of Room to Improve in 2013.[9]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dwyer, Ciara (19 October 2008). "Ann and Katherine say it loud". Sunday Independent.
- 1 2 "Ann Louise Gilligan". Archived from the original on 17 May 2015.
- ↑ Mullally, Una (12 December 2014). "The KAL case kickstarted a decade of debate on marriage equality". TheJournal.ie.
- ↑ "An Cosan Governance". AnCosan.com. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- ↑ Phelan, Angela (10 November 2007). "Stars pay tribute to the late Joan O'Hara".
- ↑ "The Shanty History". Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- ↑ Hilliard, Mark (15 November 2014). "Changing lives with virtual education". The Irish Times.
- 1 2 3 "Ann Louise Gilligan". Dublin City University.
- ↑ "Room to Improve". 1 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015.