Mai Clifford

Mary "Mai" Clifford (25 September 1913 – 11 March 1986) was an Irish trade unionist and laundress, and the first woman president of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions.

Early life and family Mai Clifford was born in Phoenix Park, Glasgow, Scotland on 25 September 1913. She was the eldest child of a blacksmith from County Kerry, Joseph Hollingsworth, and his wife Elizabeth, a Glasgow native. The Clifford family moved to Dublin in 1915, first living in Leinster Square, Rathmines and later Mill Forge, Templeogue. Both of Clifford's parents where supporters of the labour leader James Larkin. Clifford attended St. Joseph's convent, Terenure, going on to work in the Terenure Laundry at age 15. In 1983 she was named IWWU honorary treasurer, and after the merging of the IWWU with the Federated Workers’ Union of Ireland in 1984, she was appointed an executive member and trustee.