Career
She was a teacher and lecturer who served as Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland until July 2006. She was previously the vice chair of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights (SACHR). She was actively involved in the Citizens Advice Bureau (Civil Aeronautics Board) for many years and was its Chair from 1994 to 1995.
In 2005 she received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (Doctor of Laws) from the University of Ulster for her contributions to public life in Northern Ireland.
She was appointed as an Older People"s Advocate on 3 November 2008, in the interim pending the establishment of a full Commissioner for Older People. Before being appointed Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland she was chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland.
