One of St. Michael's House founding members portrait unveiled in Women on Walls Exhibition 2019
Dr.Barbara Stokes is one of eight portraits unveiled female historical leaders in Healthcare commissioned by Women on Walls at the RCSI in partnership with Accenture.
Women on Walls is a campaign that seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that will create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland.
Dr. Barbara Maive Stokes (1922-2009) was a paediatrician and pioneering disability campaigner. She was one of the founding members of St. Michael's House services for people with Intellectual Disabilities in 1955. Stokes first involvement , was as a part-time volunteer; later she managed the entire organisation. A tireless advocate, Stokes served on many boards, notably the National Rehabilitation Board and Inclusion Ireland.
"We rushed in where many would fear to venture. The one essential was to meet and help parents who came to us not so much for a diagnosis, but for advice about what they should or could do to help their child with a disability." Dr Barbara Stokes, first Medical Director.
The official unveiling will take place on Tuesday, March 5th in the College Hall and Board Room, 123 St. Stephens Green.Invitation only. Our CEO, Anna Shakespeare, and senior team will be in attendance.
Open to the Public
There will also be additional viewings and guided tours on Saturday, March 9th from 10 - 4 pm. Tours will start at 10 and run every hour, on the hour (last tour commences at 3 pm).