Jane Dowdall | |
|---|---|
| Senator | |
| In office 14 August 1951 – 14 December 1961 | |
| Constituency | Industrial and Commercial Panel |
| Lord Mayor of Cork | |
| In office June 1959 – June 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Seán McCarthy |
| Succeeded by | Stephen D. Barrett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jane Doggett 29 September 1899 Smithfield, Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 10 December 1974(1974-12-10) (aged 75) County Cork, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse | |
| Occupation | Politician, Nurse, Company director |
| Known for | First femaleLord Mayor of Cork |
Jane Dowdall (née Doggett; 29 September 1899 – 10 December 1974) was an IrishFianna Fáil politician, philanthropist, nurse and company director.[1]
Born Jane Doggett on 29 September 1899 at 28Smithfield, Dublin. She was the daughter of eating-house keeper Michael Doggett and Mary Ellen Doggett (née Andrews). Dowdall went to work as a nurse atSt. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin after leaving school, and became an active member of theGaelic League.[1] She marriedJames Charles Dowdall in October 1929,[2] and the couple moved to Cork. They were close friends withÉamon de Valera, who was godfather to their son, Finbarr.[1]
After the death of her husband in 1939, she became active in local organisations such as theIrish Country Women's Association, the Penny Dinners and theSociety of St Vincent de Paul. In 1945 she was appointed to the management committee of Cork's South Infirmary, going on to become a trustee. She went on to become a member of the Cork health authority and the Cork hospitals' committee, and was one of the founding members of the Women's Industrial Development Association.[1]
She was elected toSeanad Éireann on theIndustrial and Commercial Panel at the 1951 election, and was re-elected in 1954 and 1957.[3] While in the Seanad she expressed her support for the ban on married women working in the civil service. She was variously appointed director of the Cancer Association of Ireland, a government nominee on the central council of theIrish Red Cross Society, the first treasurer of the Fresh Air Fund, an executive member of the Irish tourist board, and a director ofSt. Luke's Hospital, Dublin.[1]
Dowdall was the first female member ofCork City Council and on 24 June 1959 became the first femaleLord Mayor of Cork, serving until 1960.[4] During her time in office she ensured a government grant to theCork Opera House, and was vital to the passing of a private member's bill which gave Cork corporation the power to further fund the Opera House. In 1959, she was a co-founder and patron of the Irish Theatre Ballet Company, served as president of the Cork Orchestral Society and as patron of the Cork Ballet Company. She was a member of the Cork city vocational education committee, lending her support to the School of Music and the School of Art, and a member of theCork Tóstal Council. She was invited to New York by MayorRobert Wagner in 1960 as a guest of honour at theSt Patrick's Day parade alongside GovernorNelson Rockefeller.[1]
Dowdall was defeated at the 1961 Seanad election,[5] but went on to be one of the first women to sit on the council of state from 1964 to 1974.[1]
Dowdall lived at Carrigduv,Blackrock, Cork, later retiring toGlanmire, County Cork, and then to Mill House,Kilcully, County Cork. She died in Cork on 10 December 1974.[1]
In 2018, a portrait of her by Soirle MacCana was donated to Cork City Hall to mark 100 years sincewomen's suffrage.[5]
| Civic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lord Mayor of Cork 1959–1960 | Succeeded by |