Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to our new youth council, Ireland’s fabbest young women. Each of our members will tell us about themselves, and share why they decided to join us. This week, meet Clodagh, a 20 year old English and French student, currently in Nantes, France on her year abroad.  Clodagh is also an Officer in the Lucan company of Girls Brigade, teaching dance to girls aged 3 to 18. She is an aspiring writer with work published on HeadStuff, RTÉ, Oxygen.ie among other sites, and writes her own blog that focuses on feminist issues, called Just Some Things I Think.

Clodagh,What was it about The Shona Project that drew you to join our Youth Council?

I loved the prospect of working with like-minded young women to work together and help other young girls like ourselves, and to try make a change.

What do you hope to bring to the organisation?

I want to bring Tesco bacon crisps (seriously, they’re so good), and my experience of working as a dance teacher and youth leader to young girls for several years now.

How was your teenage experience?

Fortunately I spent my teenage years surrounded by a group of friends I still have today. On the whole it was a positive time for me, but that’s not to say that I struggled with self-confidence and body image issues, like, sadly, many other girls at that time.

What do you wish you could tell your 14-15 year old self?

Boys don’t matter that much. Seriously. Don’t let them define your beauty. AND, you’re not weird because you haven’t kissed someone. Swear on my heart.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I recently saw a quote that I really liked for motivating a lazy so-and-so like my self, “If the grass over there looks greener, it’s because you’re not looking after your own lawn”.

What do you like most about yourself?

My loyalty. And my glasses. I also have a funny laugh, which makes others, including myself, only laugh harder.

How do you deal with stress or cope with difficult situations?

Lists. List, list, list. Even if it’s a fight with a friend or an overdue assignment, lists always help break things down.

If you could have dinner with any 5 women (alive or dead) who would they be and why?

Louise O’Neil, because she is seriously intelligent and good craic, Taylor Swift because I want to know what she really thinks of feminism, and Miley Cryus because I want her carefree attitude to rub off on me.

What book, film or song means the most to you and why?

The song “Broken Strings” by James Blunt and Nelly Furtado is an old favourite because it reminds me of a trip away with my friends where we spent the majority of the time laughing, and of doing a dance to the same song in a show.

If we were to have a TSP Christmas party, which song would get you up dancing?

Any song with a good beat. My current favourite is Touch by Little Mix, I can also never refuse a bit of Justin Timberlake… or Westlife.

Share your favourite inspirational quote…

“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose”.

If you would like to join our youth council, please email [email protected], telling us a little about yourself, and we’ll get right back to you.