Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, formerly known as Bernadette Devlin, is an Irish civil rights activist, politician, and writer. She was born on April 23, 1947, in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and grew up in a politically aware and nationalist household.

In her early years, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey was influenced by her father, who encouraged her to pursue education and political awareness. She attended St. Mary’s College, a Catholic grammar school in Magherafelt, and later went on to study psychology at Queen’s University Belfast.

As a student at Queen’s University, Devlin McAliskey became involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s. She played a prominent role in organizing protests and advocating for equal rights for Catholics in a predominantly Protestant society. Devlin McAliskey gained significant attention after an incident known as the Battle of the Bogside in August 1969, when she confronted a British Home Secretary on live television about the violence in Derry.

In 1969, at the age of 21, Devlin McAliskey won a seat in the British Parliament as an independent candidate, becoming the youngest-ever female Member of Parliament. She famously took her seat in Westminster but refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the British monarch, sparking controversy and becoming a symbol of resistance.

Devlin McAliskey’s political career was marked by her unwavering commitment to social justice and her advocacy for Irish unity. She was a member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party and played a leading role in campaigns against internment without trial and for the release of political prisoners. She also became an international figure, expressing solidarity with various liberation movements worldwide.

Throughout her life, Devlin McAliskey has faced numerous threats, physical attacks, and legal challenges due to her outspoken views and activism. In 1981, she was the target of an assassination attempt when she and her husband were shot by loyalist paramilitaries in their family home in Coalisland, County Tyrone. Both survived but sustained serious injuries.

Following the attempted assassination, Devlin McAliskey and her husband moved to Dublin, where they continued their activism and worked on community and human rights issues. She became a prolific writer and has published several books, including her autobiography titled “The Price of my Soul” and “The Bernadette Devlin Story.”

Throughout her career, Bernadette Devlin McAliskey has received numerous awards and recognitions for her activism and political contributions. In 2007, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Ulster.

Her lifelong dedication to social justice, civil rights, and Irish nationalism has had a profound impact on contemporary society, particularly in Northern Ireland. Devlin McAliskey’s courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equality and justice continue to inspire activists and freedom fighters around the world. One of her notable quotes is, “To gain freedom, you have to teach freedom.” Her impact has been felt not only within the realm of politics but also in various spheres of society, as she continues to use her voice and platform to advocate for marginalized communities and challenge unjust systems.