Trailblazer Spotlight - Amanda Flanagan

Amanda Flanagan, a Laidlaw Trailblazer at Trinity College Dublin, on resilience and breaking barriers.
Trailblazer Spotlight - Amanda Flanagan
Like

Share this post

Choose a social network to share with, or copy the URL to share elsewhere

This is a representation of how your post may appear on social media. The actual post will vary between social networks
Discover more Scholar Spotlights.

Amanda Flanagan, a Laidlaw Trailblazer at Trinity College Dublin, on resilience and breaking barriers. 

I am a mature student proudly studying at Trinity College Dublin. I was born and reared in a working class area of Central North Dublin. As a child I worked hard, helped out with all household chores, minded my siblings, and was encouraged to do what you can to help relatives, friends, neighbours and strangers. I was a happy child, however I was never really fully content. I always wanted more! More experiences, more travel, more knowledge, to do more, to see more and have more nice things. I was quite romantic really in my view of life.

My first paid job was at age 13 working in a local bingo hall selling ice cream. I was there throughout secondary school working all the different roles including the cash office. I also worked in retail and fast food restaurants while studying hard for my leaving cert, the final exams in secondary school, and finished age 18. I had gone through school and life without knowing I was neurodiverse, having ADHD. This wasn't really understood or researched at the time. I had always worked hard to achieve my goals and I suppose all the struggles and knocks just made me more resilient. I had little information and no support or encouragement to get a third level education. I wanted to become a teacher but was told that people like me don't do jobs like that: we work in shops or factories. I hadn’t known anybody from my school or community who went on to university and certainly nobody in my family had.

At the time I tried all I could to get the education I so badly desired. However, for financial reasons this was not possible. So, I started full time employment in an Insurance intermediary in the sales department, then being promoted to team leader, supervisor and eventually I became head of staff training and development within human resources for the company, being responsible for over 300 staff. Over the course of my very enjoyable 20 plus years there, I had reached some of my personal goals, buying a home, marrying my childhood sweetheart and having two wonderful healthy sons. I enjoyed my life, despite serious health issues. The longing for a university degree never really left me and I still dreamed of studying at Trinity College in the heart of the city I was proud to call home. Alongside work and family life, I completed evening classes and day courses, all beneficial for the corporate world that I loved and to increase my knowledge.

After a while, I decided to study some holistic and healing therapies I had used to help with my health and wellbeing. I studied and qualified to practice in some of these therapies. One thing was sure: I was always destined to help others. I also wanted to show my sons that anything is possible if you work hard, play fair, manifest, give back and be kind to everybody you meet. I wanted my family to be proud of me and I really wanted to be proud of myself. I manifested being a student in Trinity College, and while it’s still somehow hard to believe that I am here against all the odds, I think I am finally proud of myself. I have to really sit back, breathe and realise that I have changed some huge generational patterns as both of my sons now attend Trinity College studying for their own degrees. I am super proud of them and I suppose of myself that I have encouraged them and guided them to achieve this by working hard themselves.

What is the biggest life challenge you have overcome and what did you learn from it?

I have had to overcome a whole lot of adversity in my life, from community, teachers, family members and society. I have a lot of serious health issues, including ongoing severe, chronic migraines, a condition that is extremely debilitating. It is also frustrating for me as I can miss out on so much of life. I am an eternal optimist and I continue to work on my health and wellbeing. When I am well I could rule the world.

My lack of self value and self worth has probably been the biggest obstacle for me. The fear of not being good enough. My standards are very high for myself and this can sometimes be very challenging and difficult. especially when dealing with imposter syndrome. These challenges I have are as a woman, a woman of a working class background, a woman in the corporate world and a woman who had not had a university degree. Laidlaw gatherings help to change this for me as you see such fabulous woman who have overcome such challenges and more and they are inspiring. Laidlaw trailblazers really help me feel I am capable of anything.

What is the most useful/impactful piece of advice you have been given in your life?

Trust in a higher power. In life, no matter what happens, it is part of the greater plan. We can look at obstacles as problems or challenges. There is always something to be grateful for. See the positive in every situation. It really is the journey and not the destination. 

Conversely, what is the WORST piece of advice you have been given?

Fake it till you make it!

Ugh, why?

Which Laidlaw values resonate with you the most and why?

I am a firm believer in equality, giving back and helping others. Laidlaw’s commitment to helping those from underrepresented and underprivileged communities is truly inspiring. This is especially due to the fact that education is number one on their list and not just by helping women into university but also supporting them through the years they are studying. In a world where so many still ignore and marginalise those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, it is so validating to see Laidlaw’s wholehearted, genuine approaches and support. I am very proud to be a part of this. The future is bright. We have a lot to do.

The platform that Laidlaw gives to students, including myself, helps to provide them with new experiences, opportunities and workshops that help in so many areas of life. This life changing experience helps break the cycle of poverty and limiting beliefs with opportunities and access to education for so many people.The gatherings of remarkable woman together helps hugly, as we would never get an opportunity to meet women in this forum otherwise. This is invaluable and inspiring to me.

What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?

It is such a huge privilege to be part of this prestigious scholarship, I don’t want to waste this opportunity so in school I really put in the extra hours to study, to always add value in class discussions and posts uploaded in IE forums. Ultimately to be a good and effective person in general because I carry the brand of Laidlaw.

Which leaders inspire you the most and why?

I am inspired so much by philanthropists, they really are earth's angels. I never knew growing up that there were people like this. I thought everybody was from poverty. I consider myself quite a spiritual person, and I like leaders who give back and are altruistic in their motivations. Those who help fund things like the building of homes, hospitals and orphanages and provide education to help inspire people to do better and give back. Leaders have a duty to the people that they serve, and it is so important to me, personally, that they use that power to enact positive changes such as these, not only for us, but for future generations.

Dr Noel Brown, who was the Minister for health in Ireland, helped with the development of the tuberculosis vaccine. He did so at a time when Ireland, mostly the lower social classes, were being ravaged by the disease. His ability and desire to help others always made him stick out as someone who inspired me. He was a man ahead of his time who used his voice with kindness to our country.

What do you think needs to happen to shatter the glass ceiling for women once and for all?

Change is happening and we can see it in the younger generation today. However, there is still so much which needs to be done. Teaching children the importance of an equitable and just society is so important. It starts with children in the home, in school and their communities.

For too long, women have been overlooked and undervalued in the workplace and finally this patriarchal structure is now being challenged. At the Laidlaw Foundation, you can see that each and every one of us are encouraged and supported to break that glass ceiling, and to help other women around the world do the same. We need to continue to champion the pioneering work of so many women and encourage those who may not believe that they have the ability and tell them that they can do it.

Describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.

The future that I am striving to create is where the goodness of the world and its people are able to shine. For me, it is not only about creating a world of equal opportunities, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socio-economic status, but one where we all encourage and celebrate one another. Be the light.

Every human being has the capacity for greatness, and in the world I am striving for I would want to make sure every human feels listened to, understood and invested in, and is confident and capable to contribute to society, from an early age. I envision a future where we realisehow fabulous we all are individually, what a gift it is to be alive. Children would grow up in a world where they can experience equality and live in a stigma free society. This is a world where women do not have to feel like they should be silent, and can have the confidence to show their abilities and talents and be seen for what they have to offer to business through their life experience and education.

 


Quick-fire Questions

📺 Currently binging: 

Landman 

📚 My top book recommendation: 

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessal van der Kolk 

🎶 My anthem: 

Sing All Our Cares Away - Damien Dempsey

🎧 Current Audiobook Obsession:

Diary of a CEO

🌈 Something that made me feel joy recently:

The gratitude of being in my warm cosy home over Christmas.

A final message from Amanda: 

I would always look at everything with kindness towards one another, and without any judgement, as we don’t know what others are going through. Never judge as you don't know what somebody is going through. Your business and life will actually be more successful, productive and pleasant if you do. Invest in woman, especially woman who may have taken time off to be with their families. They have so much to give and their experience in life and work is invaluable. Let them prove it to you and your business.

Be kind to yourself, look up from your phone, smile at everybody you see. Look after your health. Nobody is coming to save you, we need to save ourselves. Never beep the car horn. Hold the door for others. Hug a tree, listen to young people, value young women, boost their confidence and give them the chances that they deserve! Go with your gut instinct, don’t overthink things, take a chance, there are no wrong decisions only indecision. Always be kind. Law of attraction is real. 


 

Amanda Flanagan is a Laidlaw Trailblazer at Trinity College Dublin.

The Laidlaw Trailblazers Programme supports extraordinary women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their dreams of higher education and secure rewarding careers. Aligned with universities’ widening participation programmes, Laidlaw Trailblazers are the first in their families to attend university and have often experienced diverse educational journeys. The Programme supports Scholars financially, emotionally and practically to ensure that their university experience is transformative.

🔦 Discover more Spotlights: 

⚡️ Patrícia Gonçalves, a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, on navigating the crossroads of public and private sectors and championing a sustainable, equitable future.

⚡️ Lucy Nyamaah, a Laidlaw Scholar at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, on pushing past gender norms and envisioning a female-led future in the Energy sector.

⚡️ Juliana Ruseva, a Laidlaw Scholar at London Business School, on volunteering, helping women break the glass ceiling and tackling issues step by step.

⚡️ Adebusola Adegbuyi, a Laidlaw Scholar at Saïd Business School, on facing challenges with optimism and empowering young women to begin careers in technology.

⚡️ Aya Hammad, a University of York Laidlaw Scholar, on understanding the origins of cancer, promoting equality in healthcare, and learning to be adaptable.

Please sign in

If you are a registered user on Laidlaw Scholars Network, please sign in

Go to the profile of Susanna Kempe
24 days ago

Amanda - you are so much more than enough. I couldn't be prouder that you are one of the Laidlaw Trailblazers. Every time I see you - and now reading this again - I am reminded of the power of your kindness and light. You really are capable of anything and I can't wait to see what you do once you graduate.