British Politician. Born in Watford, England, she became interested in politics at an early age. After studying social anthropology at the University of Durham, she earned a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Iowa. In 1969, she became a member of the Labor Party, was first elected to Parliament in 1987 and later became a member of the influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee and the party's ruling National Executive Committee. Elected to the Shadow Cabinet in 1992, she became the chief spokesman on women and the Citizen’s Charter. Appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 1997, she was given the Northern Ireland portfolio. She took a political risk in 1998, by entering the Maze Prison near Belfast to speak with convicted loyalist paramilitaries to encourage peace negotiations between the protesting Irish Republican Army and the British government. Her efforts resulted in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Peace Agreement of 1998. She remained Secretary of State for Northern Ireland until 1999 and retired from public service in 2001. Cause of death, cancer at age 55.
British Politician. Born in Watford, England, she became interested in politics at an early age. After studying social anthropology at the University of Durham, she earned a master's degree and a doctorate from the University of Iowa. In 1969, she became a member of the Labor Party, was first elected to Parliament in 1987 and later became a member of the influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee and the party's ruling National Executive Committee. Elected to the Shadow Cabinet in 1992, she became the chief spokesman on women and the Citizen’s Charter. Appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 1997, she was given the Northern Ireland portfolio. She took a political risk in 1998, by entering the Maze Prison near Belfast to speak with convicted loyalist paramilitaries to encourage peace negotiations between the protesting Irish Republican Army and the British government. Her efforts resulted in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Peace Agreement of 1998. She remained Secretary of State for Northern Ireland until 1999 and retired from public service in 2001. Cause of death, cancer at age 55.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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