Bernadette Devlin

Date of Birth: April 23, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: (Leave blank as she is alive)

Biography

Bernadette Devlin, also known as Bernadette McAliskey, is a prominent Northern Irish civil rights leader and former politician. Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, she rose to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a passionate advocate for social justice and civil rights for the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland. Devlin first gained national attention as a student activist and later became a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mid Ulster constituency in 1969, at the young age of 21, making her the youngest woman ever elected to the UK Parliament at that time. During her time in Parliament, Devlin was known for her fiery speeches and unyielding stance on civil rights issues. She was involved in the Battle of the Bogside in 1969 and was a key figure in the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland. Devlin was also notable for her support of the Irish Republican cause, though she often distanced herself from the violent tactics of some groups. In 1972, she made headlines worldwide when she slapped the Home Secretary, Reginald Maudling, in the House of Commons after he made a statement she found deeply offensive regarding the Bloody Sunday massacre. Following her parliamentary career, Devlin continued her activism, working on various social justice issues, including women’s rights, workers’ rights, and anti-poverty initiatives.

5 Interesting Facts about Bernadette Devlin

1. Bernadette Devlin was the youngest woman ever elected to the UK Parliament at age 21.

2. She slapped the Home Secretary, Reginald Maudling, in the House of Commons in 1972.

3. Devlin survived an assassination attempt in 1981 when she was shot multiple times by members of the Ulster Freedom Fighters.

4. She has been involved in various international human rights campaigns, including support for the Palestinian cause.

5. Devlin co-founded the Irish Republican Socialist Party in 1974.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bernadette Devlin

1. “To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.”

2. “We were born into an unjust system; we are not prepared to grow old in it.”

3. “Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.”

4. “One must always calculate the cost of change, but one must also calculate the cost of no change.”

5. “You can’t put one foot in, one foot out. You have to be in all the way.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Bernadette Devlin’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but her focus has always been on activism and public service rather than personal financial gain.