Pearl Sagar OBE (born 1958, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a former Northern Irish politician.

Pearl Sagar
Co-leader of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
In office
1996–2006
Serving with Monica McWilliams
Northern Ireland Forum Member
In office
30 May 1996 – 25 June 1998
Preceded byNew Creation
Succeeded byRole Dissolved
ConstituencyTop-up list
Personal details
Born1958
Belfast, Northern Ireland
NationalityBritish
Political partyNorthern Ireland Women's Coalition (1996 – 2006)
Residence(s)Belfast, County Antrim

Background

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Brought up a Protestant, Sagar became a social worker in East Belfast,[1] and married a soldier in the British Army.[2]

In 1996, she joined with Monica McWilliams in petitioning established political parties to include women among their candidates for the Northern Ireland Forum. After receiving little response, they founded the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition, to stand in the election themselves.[1] Sagar was second on the party's list in East Belfast, but failed to be elected.[3] However, as the party took ninth place overall in the election, it was entitled to two top-up seats, which Sagar received as the second on the Northern Ireland-wide list.[4]

Sagar stood unsuccessfully for Belfast City Council in 1997,[5] and she was again unsuccessful in East Belfast in the 1998 Northern Ireland Assembly election. [6] Following her defeat, she became a consultant to the Vital Voices project.

She was made an OBE in the New Year's Honours.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tiffany Danitz, "Raising voices for peace in Ireland - Northern Ireland Women's Coalition", Insight on the News, 1 December 1997
  2. ^ a b "Women's champion voices her delight", Belfast Telegraph, 31 December 1998
  3. ^ "1996 Forum Elections: Candidates in East Belfast", Northern Ireland Elections
  4. ^ "The 1996 Forum Elections and the Peace Process", Northern Ireland Elections
  5. ^ "Belfast City Council Elections 1993-2005", Northern Ireland Elections
  6. ^ "East Belfast", Northern Ireland Elections
Northern Ireland Forum
New forum Regional Member
1996–1998
Forum dissolved