Press Release

Women’s Shared Project Testament to Lasting Peace
We Too Have Suffered DVD and Calendar launch

Monday, 12 December 2005

Twelve local women, six from each side of the religious divide, who came together to share their experiences and perspectives of life before, during and after the recent conflict will this Wednesday (December 14th) launch a Calendar and DVD they’ve made during their project, We Too Have Suffered.

The women have not all been bereaved through violence, but, through sharing their experiences of how they coped with the last thirty years, they have come to a greater understanding of how each has suffered in her own way.

Their project ,which is funded by the Local Strategy Partnership, and supported by the Shared City Project and Derry City Council, is a lasting tribute to how friendships and a sense of community can be forged and maintained across the traditional divide when people are willing to take the risk and overcome prejudice and fear.

The 12 women who have shared their story include the Shared City Project’s Jeanette Warke, who was forced to abandon her home during the Troubles, and former Mayor, Annie Courtney, who, both in her political life and her professional career as a nurse at Altnagelvin, experienced the effects of violence first hand.
One woman tells of losing a son, another of having a daughter killed by paramilitaries. Some of those taking part admit they found it difficult to talk openly about their pain, but all agree it has been a positive experience.

As We Too Have Suffered says, “The troubles, as they are called, were the dirtiest kind of war. The dark secrecy surrounding the “combatants” on both sides rendered the survivors and innocent civilians incapable of reconciling their losses, their confusion or their grief …
The natural result of the times was for people to become suspicious, distrustful, cynical—especially of anyone remotely related to “THEM” on the other side.”

Jeanette Warke, Shared City Project said: “I thought it was important that local women who have suffered were given a forum through which they could talk about their feelings and share their experiences with others. It has been a long but rewarding process, many of the women were initially very reluctant to take part. Many of them have tragic stories to tell and they were apprehensive about meeting with other people and talking about their experiences. It was a gradual process but one which, through time and perseverance, has progressed.”

The Mayor, Councillor Lynn Fleming, pledging her support for the initiative said she was delighted that women and the important role they played during the Troubles, is being acknowledged with the launch of a calendar and DVD.

She said: “For many years, the traumatic and devastating experiences of women in the North have been swept under the carpet. I think it is important that women are given a forum through which they can talk about their life experiences and meet with others who have similar stories to tell. This is an important part of the healing process and I am particular delighted that women from both sides of the political and religious divides are working together in this project.”

Jeanette Warke concluded: “With the launch of their DVD and calendar, and their enduring friendship, these 12 women have created a lasting testament to the desire for peace.”

The launch will be held on Wednesday, December 14th , in the Tyrconnall Suite, Tower Hotel, at 7.30pm

Further press information can be obtained by contacting Jeanette Warke, Shared City Project, Tel. 028 71329 144

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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