We were saddened to hear today that a great champion of community relations, Baroness May Blood MBE, has passed away. Our thoughts are with May’s family and friends at this very sad time.
May devoted a significant part of her life to community relations and education. She was a remarkable woman and the first from Northern Ireland to be given a life peerage. May’s tireless work with the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) has been an inspiration to us all.
The Community Relations Council was honoured to have awarded May the Good Relations Award 2021 for her selfless work and for being a champion of community relations in Northern Ireland. The Good Relations Award highlights exceptional achievement in promoting community relations, intercultural work and peacebuilding – Baroness Blood was a shining example.
We are reminded of a quote May gave upon winning the Good Relations Award in March 2021. She said:
“My passion for the past 20 years has been integrated education. The work that the community relations people are doing, and the work that the people in integrated education are doing – is the vital work. We are building a foundation for a better Northern Ireland. We want to change Northern Ireland and integrated education is certainly moving in that direction.”
Thank you May for your amazing contribution to this place and for everything you accomplished.