On Wednesday 30 October, the naming of Block BD on our Belfast campus as the ‘May Blood’ Building was formally celebrated with the Award Ceremony of the Baroness May Blood Education Bursaries.
The event was attended by members of Baroness Blood’s family and jointly hosted by Ulster University and Argyle Business Centre.
On the evening, 35 young people from the Greater Shankill Area received awards to support access, opportunity and excellence in honour of the pioneering work for the community and education of Baroness Blood.
Speaking at the naming and awards event, Ulster University Provost, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan noted:
“From the start we wanted to name our buildings after people of significance, with direct alignment to the University’s commitment to People, Place and Partnership.
“Few people embodied this commitment to people, place and partnership more than May Blood. The common thread underlying May’s life, or lives, as a mill worker, Trade Unionist, political activist and social reformer was Belfast, and above all the Shankill Road. What she learned in her family, on the street and in the Mills of West Belfast shaped her own commitments to people, place and partnership for life. Although she ultimately graduated to become a ‘national treasure’ in the House of Lords, and indeed received an honorary degree from Ulster University in 1998, she never lost the grit, determination and robust realism and humour that she learned here, nor her commitment to address poverty and its consequences. For May too, it was always about people, place and partnership.
"Her embodiment of the importance of education for all, and her commitment to participation make her an obvious choice for us in terms of our building naming. It is especially fitting that we are marking this naming tonight alongside this scholarship event. Scholarships are a door to Access, Opportunity and Excellence. As Provost of Ulster University, I know that each and every scholarship recipient with us tonight has worked hard to get to this moment. Congratulations on your achievements, which would have delighted May Blood.
"It is a real honour for me as Provost of Ulster University to now formally name our building, previously known simply as ‘BD’, as the May Blood Building.”