RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has awarded the prestigious Emily Winifred Dickson Award to Frances Fitzgerald, former Tánaiste, Minister, TD and MEP. This accolade recognises her outstanding contributions to advancing women's issues and her exemplary contribution as a trailblazer and change maker in Irish and European politics and civic society.

Established in honour of Emily Winifred Dickson, the first female Fellow of RCSI and the first woman to achieve such a distinction in any of the surgical royal colleges in Britain and Ireland, the award celebrates women who have made significant impacts in their respective fields.

Frances Fitzgerald's career is distinguished by her unwavering commitment to gender equality and social justice. Her leadership roles, including serving as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Minister for Justice and as Tánaiste, have been marked by initiatives that promote women's participation in public life and policies that support gender equality. As an MEP, she advocated for women's rights on a broader European stage, addressing issues such as equal pay and combating gender-based violence.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor of RCSI, said: “Frances Fitzgerald embodies the pioneering and trailblazing spirit of Dr Emily Winifred Dickson and RCSI is honoured to recognise her contributions with this award."

“Her dedication to advancing women's rights and her leadership in both national and international arenas serve as an inspiration to us all. Through her considered authority she has earned respect across the political spectrum, consistently pushing boundaries not for personal recognition, but to advance changes aimed at improving the lives of women and children,” added Professor Kelly.

Accepting the award, Frances Fitzgerald said: “The importance of seeing how others have broken barriers and challenged societal norms cannot be underestimated in a world where gender equality remains a pressing issue. Dr Dickson’s pioneering spirit encourages us to continue striving for equal opportunities for women in all fields, particularly in STEM and leadership roles. Her life in its entirety reminds us that achievement has many facets, and life takes turns for all of us that demand resilience. We are reminded that gender equality requires the active participation of all of us across the whole of life’s challenges, and that engaging men as convinced allies is essential if we want to change restrictive gender norms, dismantle barriers, and achieve a more inclusive society.”

The Emily Winifred Dickson Award has previously been bestowed upon Professor Louise Richardson, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford; Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to the United Nations; Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer, Google; and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate.

The award ceremony took place at RCSI's historic campus on St Stephen's Green, Dublin, where Ms Fitzgerald was presented with a specially commissioned piece by renowned sculptor Imogen Stuart RHA, symbolising the legacy of Emily Winifred Dickson.