SENATOR LYNN RUANE is some woman for one woman!
The Senator’s life story is an inspiration to anyone who wants to help themselves and their community do and be better.
In an interview with the Irish Independent in 2016, Ruane talked through her tumultuous life experiences, which caused her to grow up quickly. At the age of 13, Ruane witnessed her best friend Jenny die after being hit by by a bus, and several other friends also died young. Around this age, she turned to risky behaviour such as dabbling in drugs, robbing cars and shoplifting – perhaps as a coping mechanism for the grief she was experiencing.
When Ruane became a single mother at the age of 15, she found the experience and new responsibilities to be healing. She had amazing support from her parents and her brother, as well as a school’s guidance counsellor who helped her return to education.
After the Leaving Cert, Ruane worked helping others who were suffering with addiction. However, the austerity cuts following the recession was a catalyst for her to go to third-level education so she could become an advocate for addiction services.
In 2012 she enrolled in Trinity through TAP (Trinity Access Programme), which gives support to disadvantaged students. Eventually, student politics led her to become the Student Union President of Trinity and finally a Senator representing Trinity College in 2016.
Despite having a life that should 100% be a movie, the Senator is the most relatable chica on the block.
1. Lynn is struggling like all of us to be eco warriors
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Seriously, they should make secondary school kiddos keep one of these for 9 months to teach responsibility.
2. Intention is the same as action in our book too
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Our life is one long game of pretending we’re going to the gym and then sitting on our couch munching malteasers or kale crisps (if you’re being healthy, like!) until bed.
3. When she knew that pro-choice didn’t mean pro-abortion
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Minding your own business was essentially the slogan of the pro-choice campaign.
4. This was all of us when the Irish Times Exit poll came through
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5. She knew that a collective nap/hibernation post-referendum was vital
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But unfortunately if you’re fighting for women’s equality in Ireland you’ll never get a break!
6. Can she be our mum? Only the coolest mums would tweet this interaction
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7. She’s the grown-up we all wish we were
