To News Editors, Book Review Ediors and Feature Editors

							  PRESS RELEASE

To:                         News Editors, Book Review Ediors and Feature Editors
From:                       Eileen Kelly, Institute of Public Administration,
                            Tel: (01) 2403776, Email: ekelly@ipa.ie
Enquiries about text: Anna Bryson, mobile: 087 9962560
Date:                        6 March 2009



In an engaging new book from the IPA, entitled No Coward Soul: A Biography of Thekla Beere, Anna
Bryson recalls an exceptional person who became the first woman to head an Irish government
department, and, in her retirement, chaired the hugely successful Commission on the Status of
Women. It is a biography full of human interest, hidden politics and modern history.


Born in 1901, and although she had no formal primary education, Thekla Beere was one of the first
generation of women to graduate from Trinity College. Having obtained a first class honours degree, she
spent two years on an international scholarship in the United States, a formative period in her life. On her
return to Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, she joined the civil service as a temporary
clerk at the Statistics Office. In spite of her abilities, for several years she was assigned to junior positions.
As a means to supplement her income, she became the first female lecturer in statistics in Ireland.


However, the young civil servant showed herself to be both discreet and fiercely loyal to the new Irish
state, and, in 1941, her virtues and talents were finally rewarded when she was promoted to the post of
superintending officer in the Department of Industry and Commerce. Little more than two years later, she
had become principal officer and was involved with the major wartime and post-war developments in
transport. Her capacity for hard work, coupled with an excellent memory, enabled her confidently to
confront both ministers and heads of state-sponsored bodies.


An acknowledged expert on shipping, harbours, railway and labour issues, she was appointed assistant
secretary at the Department of Industry and Commerce in November 1953, and, on 1 August 1959, she was
officially installed as secretary of the new department of Transport and Power — the first woman to head a
department. Interestingly it would be 36 years before another Irish woman was appointed to such a senior
position.
However, that is only one part of her story. With a zest for fun and adventure, Thekla Beere was a founding
member of the youth hostelling association, An Óige. A gracious hostess, she also counted many of
Ireland’s leading playwrights, artists and actors as close friends. In retirement, she served on a wide range
of cultural, artistic, religious and charitable boards. Her role as chair of the Commission on the Status of
Women prompted wide recognition, and her report provided a blueprint for change on many issues
including equal pay and the marriage bar.


Nevertheless, since her death in 1991, her name has gradually faded from public consciousness. In this
compelling biography, Anna Bryson sets out to share with readers an extraordinary story that has too long
been left untold. Drawing on Thekla Beere’s private papers, the book provides many fascinating insights
into the hidden politics and history of the period, as well as revealing a fulfilling life beyond the confines of
public duty.


In his Foreword, T. K. Whitaker commends the biography which, he says, ‘ shows how fulfilling and
admirable a life can be if it combines achievement of one’s own potential with betterment of one’s
community. Thekla eminently deserved such a tribute.’


No Coward Soul: A Biography of Thekla Beere is published by the Institute of Public Administration in
paperback at €20. It is available from the Sales Division of the Institute, Tel: (01) 230 3768, email:
sales@ipa.ie.


                                                     ENDS


The book will be launched at a reception in Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Rom 101,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Monday 9 March 2009 at 6.00 pm. Members of the press are cordially invited to
attend.