A Queen's graduate, Brenda McLaughlin was formerly the Chair of the South East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust and Vice-Chair of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board.  In 1997, she was awarded the CBE for her contributions to the Health Service and the community.

Brenda was appointed Pro-Chancellor of Queen's University on 1 January 1999, having served as a member of Senate since 1993.  She took a special interest in the role and position of women within Queen's and, in 1999, helped set up the Women's Forum which she chaired, and which led to the establishment of the award-winning Queen's Gender Initiative in 2000.

This portrait was painted by Comhghall Casey from Omagh in Co. Tyrone.  Comhghall has been working full time as an artist since graduating from art college in Belfast in 1998.  Based in Dublin since the year 2000, his work focuses on creating meticulous and sparse still life studies as well as portraiture and life painting.  Discover more about Comhghall and his work here.

This 16 ft by 6 ft painting was commissioned by the Women’s Forum/QGI and is the work of award-winning Newry artist, Michelle Rogers. The painting, which hangs in the University’s Council Chamber, representing all female staff, students and alumni, depicts 25 women, some almost life-size, striding forward into the light.

The competition, offering a £20,000 commission, was part of the ‘Faces of Women’ initiative that included the commissioning of portraits of distinguished Queen's women including distinguished nephrologist Mollie McGeown and President of Ireland, former Queen’s Professor Mary McAleese, which are now on display in the University’s Great Hall.