Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Women’s Aid, began her career in the demanding yet fulfilling world of nursing, a foundation that instilled in her the virtues of care and empathy through enriching international experiences. “I worked in Northern Ireland, England and in America as a nurse,” she recalls.
With the birth of her children, Brown’s focus shifted to creating a nurturing environment closer to home. She founded a children’s daycare centre, dedicating ten years to shaping young lives. It was there, in the familiar streets of her own local town, that Brown’s path led her to Foyle Women’s Aid. Starting with a hands-on role working with children in care, her journey through the ranks was marked by a series of promotions to increasingly senior positions.
Brown credits her nursing background for much of her success, highlighting the maturity and strength it fostered within her. “Nursing is a good career because you learn everything from the academic aspects to the human side of things,” she asserts.
As Foyle Women’s Aid approaches its golden jubilee, Marie reflects on her three decades with the charity, a period that has seen both the organisation and herself grow. “We’re approaching our 50th birthday, and I’ve been here for 30 of those years,” she shares.
Brown recounts a recent encounter with a group from the Women’s Institute, which underscored the charity’s crucial role in addressing domestic violence. During their discussion, a woman revealed her own experience with domestic violence at a time when no support provisions existed.
The conversation with the group, whose members were all over sixty, turned to personal experiences and the support—or lack thereof—available in the past. “They spoke about various different personal experiences and forms of support, as well as what had gone before,” Brown explains. These stories serve as a reminder of the organisation’s origins in the mid-70s, amidst the political conflict of war-torn Northern Ireland, where women came together to form what would become a lifeline for many.
Today, Foyle Women’s Aid not only looks back with ‘Operation Desperation’, a project aimed at documenting the early days, but also looks forward, conducting workshops to address current issues facing women. “We’re doing workshops and focusing on the issues for women now, and getting younger women in to talk about what the future would be,” Brown elaborates on the charity’s proactive approach.
While acknowledging the progress made, she is also cognisant of the journey ahead. “We’ve come a long way, for example with legislation. The challenge before was getting the issue named, putting it on the agenda, and having it taken seriously. But we have a long way to go as well,” she admits, yet remains optimistic about continuing to challenge societal norms and improve the treatment of women.
Foyle Women’s Aid and the Evolving Landscape of Domestic Violence Support
The need for change is urgent, according to Brown, especially in light of budget mismanagement and ineffective systems. “It’s now becoming much more crucial that there is a change in Northern Ireland,” she asserts. Brown calls for action, whether voluntary within the Stormont administration or imposed externally, to address the broader societal issues affecting not only women and domestic violence but also homelessness and the well-being of future generations.
Her vision extends beyond the immediate needs of her charity, encompassing a desire for systemic change across the islands. “We have to change,” she insists, advocating for a new approach to ensure a happy and secure life for all. Brown’s dedication to Foyle Women’s Aid is intertwined with her commitment to societal transformation, making her not just a CEO but a catalyst for change.
When it comes to implementing such change, Brown’s advice to policymakers is clear: “Listen to the people.” She calls for a new structure outside of the government that can influence decision-making, one that is not driven by self-interest but by genuine experiences.
The need for a shift in focus is evident in her words, as she expresses frustration with the political bickering that overshadows the real issues facing the country. Brown’s vision extends beyond the borders of Northern Ireland, encompassing a more humane approach to governance that recognises the shared history of immigration and the importance of treating all individuals with dignity.
Marie also touches on what defines good leadership and emphasises the virtues of resilience and honesty, particularly in the context of Northern Ireland. “You have to be resilient,” she asserts, suggesting that the challenges faced require leaders to be steadfast and unwavering.
Brown is a staunch advocate for speaking truth to power, a principle she believes is essential for effective leadership, acknowledging that while the truth may be uncomfortable, it is necessary for progress. This sentiment is echoed in her call for authenticity: “But if we aren’t authentic and true, how are we ever going to address the issues?”
Her perspective on leadership extends to the political sphere, where she sees a need for a shift away from rhetoric to action. Brown proposes a more rigorous selection process for political candidates, emphasising the importance of quality over quantity.
Education also plays a crucial role in her vision for leadership, as she calls for teaching active citizenship from a young age. Brown believes that empowering individuals to participate in their communities can lead to meaningful change. “People think they can’t change things and they actually can,” she encourages, stressing the potential impact of an engaged citizenry.
Envisioning a Legacy of Unity and Support
As we near the end, I ask Marie how she envisions her legacy. “It’s already taking place,” she responds, “we’ve just set up a family justice centre in Northern Ireland, and it’s the only one in the UK or Ireland,” she explains. Moreover, this centre represents a shift towards a more collaborative approach to addressing domestic violence.
Brown’s vision is extensive. She envisions a future where collaboration is the norm, not the exception. “Hopefully my legacy will be that in 10 years’ time, it’ll be normal for police and agencies to be around the table, actively working together on solutions for women, children, and men who suffered domestic violence,” she says with conviction.
Her aspirations for collaboration are not confined to Northern Ireland. Brown is passionate about fostering partnerships across the UK to ensure that no matter where a victim goes—be it Wales, Scotland, England, or Northern Ireland—they receive the same level of service and rights. She is determined to level the playing field for all victims, including those of historic abuse, advocating for equal rights and support across the region.
