Young County Roscommon woman a finalist in Women of the Year Awards
Latisha McCrudden has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Local Hero’ category of the Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards. Pic: Goss.ie
A young County Roscommon woman has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Local Hero’ category of the Goss.ie Women of the Year Awards.
The awards will take place on Sunday, October 11th, at The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, with well-known broadcaster and entrepreneur Gráinne Seoige as the host.
Latisha McCrudden from Lisacul is among the nominees. The Local Hero category of the awards allows readers of the Goss.ie to celebrate the women in their lives who may not always get the recognition they deserve.
At just 22, Latisha has already established herself as a powerful young voice for Ireland’s Traveller community, using her own experiences to campaign for equality, challenge discrimination and inspire others.
A proud member of the Irish Traveller community, Latisha is a domestic abuse survivor, activist and law student now in her fourth year at the University of Galway.
She achieved 550 points in her Leaving Certificate and became the first person in her family to attend third-level education.
She is the co-host of the podcast Mincéirs: Paving the Way, which tackles issues including domestic abuse, mental health, education, employment, LGBTQI+ rights and activism, while challenging racism and misconceptions about the Traveller community and encouraging greater understanding between Traveller and settled communities.
She has appeared on Ireland AM and RTÉ Nationwide, and has worked with organisations including the Irish Traveller Movement Youth Forum, Minceirs Whiden Youth Forum, National Women’s Council of Ireland, SpunOut and Jigsaw.
Latisha is passionate about giving back to her community and has supported vulnerable children and young people, while also fundraising for a women’s refuge in Castlebar that supported her own family when she was a child.
Her mother Susan, who put her forward for the Local Hero award, describes Latisha as “the positive light in our family”, saying she shows younger members of the family that “with hard work and determination you can carve your own path in life.”
She hopes to qualify as a family law solicitor and eventually enter politics, with ambitions to use her voice and experience to create positive change and ensure greater representation for the Traveller community.
