IMPACTING BUSINESS, FASHION & THE ARTS:
The Influence of Irish Women in America

Our founder, Ruby Slevin, was thrilled to be invited to speak at this exciting NYU panel event, co-presented with Digital Irish and Navigating New York podcast. 

The event was hosted by Sophie Colgan, of Navigating New York podcast, and moderated by Gemma Allen, NASDAQ and Forbes contributor. It featured a lineup, alongside Ruby, that included Therese O’Higgins, MD at Billie Jean King Enterprises, and Sheila O’Shea, Director of Publicity and Marketing at FSG Books.

This live discussion opened up the opportunity to reflect on the profound and enduring contributions that Irish women have made, and continue to make, to American culture across business, fashion, and the arts: drawing inspiration from the achievements of Irish American women throughout history and in shaping America’s future.

For over a century Irish women have made significant contributions to American culture, often without the recognition they deserve. From Kathleen O'Brennan in the 1920s—a journalist, lecturer, and feminist campaigner based in Philadelphia—to Jackie Kennedy. Best known for her husband's Irish heritage, Jackie was also of Irish descent through her mother, born in County Cork.

Arts & Science is the founding school and academic heart of New York University. It is NYU’s largest academic unit, comprising three schools—the College of Arts & Science, the Graduate School of Arts & Science, and Liberal Studies—and dozens of departments, research centres, institutes, and language and cultural houses.