The President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian MLC, welcomed the United Nations Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) committee vice-chairman Mrs Roma Patten to the Legislative Buildings on Wednesday April 25th.

Mrs Patten (pictured second left) had travelled from her home in Devon to the Island to deliver a talk to the Isle of Man Federation of Womens’ Institutes about her recent participation in a series of UN ACWW workshops in New York.

Mrs Patten, who was accompanied by the Isle of Man’s ACWW representative Ms Dympna Connolly and vice-chairman of the Isle of Man Federation of Womens’ Institutes Mrs Kathleen Wilson, explained that the ACWW was an umbrella organisation of more than 450 groups from some 70 countries working together to educate and empower women in rural areas.  She continued: ‘My visit was an opportunity to raise the ACWW’s profile and explore how we can work with the WI to the benefit of women across the world.’ Mrs Patten added that she was interested to learn from Mrs Wilson not only of Madam President’s long-standing support of the WI movement in the Isle of Man but also that in 2011 she had become the first female to be elected President of Tynwald.

Madam President, who hosted a tour of the Legislative Buildings for her three guests, said: ‘It was a pleasure to meet with Mrs Patten and her colleagues and to hear how the ACWW, through working together with like-minded organisations, is steadily contributing to improving the quality of life and providing practical help for women in rural communities throughout the world.’

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