Mary Simpson (Northern Ireland politician)
Mary Simpson (c.1932 – 22 November 2020) was a
unionist politician in Northern Ireland
.
Simpson was honorary secretary of the Central Armagh Unionist Association from 1974 until 1983,Mayor of Craigavon in 1981/2, the first woman to hold the post.[1]
At the 1982 Northern Ireland Assembly election, Simpson stood in Armagh. She took only 721 first-preference votes, leaving her in last position, but she was elected on transfers from party colleagues.[3] At the Assembly, she served on the Environment Committee and as vice-chair of the Education Committee.[1] She was re-elected to her council seat in 1985, but stood down in 1989.[4]
In 1990, Simpson served as Chair of the Craigavon and District Housing Association.[1]
Simpson died on 22 November 2020 at the age of 88.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Maedhbh McNamara and Paschal Mooney, Women in Parliament: Ireland, 1918-2000, p.236
- ^ "The Local Government Elections 1973-1981: Craigavon", Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ "Armagh 1973-1983", Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ Local Government Elections 1985 - 1989: Armagh, Northern Ireland Elections
- ^ Bradfield, Philip (24 November 2020). "Council's first woman mayor Mary Simpson was 'kind, determined, formidable and an absolute lady'". Northern Ireland World. Retrieved 12 January 2024.