As part of the conference, the Chancellor will award a number of Honorary Degrees recognising the contribution of a range of people who made a contribution to the peace process. Pat Hume will receive a posthumous degree along with Lady Daphne Trimble, along with Former United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer and former Secretary of the United States Senate and deputy to Senator George Mitchell during the Agreement talks, Martha Pope.

From those who sat at negotiating tables, who broke glass ceilings, who supported the community and who made sacrifices for peace, the Chancellor will award a number of Medals for Civic Leadership which recognise the positive impact women have had on Northern Ireland.

Speaking about the awards, Secretary Clinton said: “It gives me great pleasure to award the Chancellor’s Medal for Civic Leadership to women from across Northern Ireland and beyond who have made a significant contribution to society.

“For a long time, we saw politics being played out by men, and men only. When I visited in 1995, I saw at first-hand how the women on the ground were making an indelible mark and helping shape the peace process in a variety of ways.

“I am so pleased that these awards fully recognise the commitment, skills and determination of a diverse group of women, from across the political and civic spectrum, who helped secure and drive froward peace on this island.

“I am pleased to recognise all of you, I am proud of your impact and I am thankful for what you have done. Congratulations.”

Queen’s University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “We are delighted to recognise the work and contribution of this diverse group of women who have played a crucial role in our society. The impact of these inspirational women has had and will continue to have a lasting effect on life here, and it is an honour to highlight this as part of our Agreement 25 reflections.”

Welcoming the awards, Professor Karen McCloskey, Director of the Queen’s Gender Initiative at Queen’s University, said: “From politics to policing, back rooms and the world stage, women have had a substantial and long-lasting impact on the peace process. During that difficult time, our mothers, daughters, wives and partners had their voices heard and we have benefitted from that. We now rightly expect women and men to be equal partners in boardrooms, classrooms and public life.

“We are honoured to welcome these remarkable women or their representatives to Queen’s as part of our Agreement 25 Conference to recognise their significant contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and across the world.”

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Honorary Graduates are:

• Ambassador Melanne Verveer, LLD for distinction in public service
• Martha Pope, DUniv for distinction in public service
• Lady Trimble, DUniv for services to the community
• Pat Hume (posthumously), DUniv for services to the community

Chancellor's Medal for achievement in Public Service and Civic Leadership 

• Dr Mo Mowlam (posthumously) - first female Secretary of State 
• Eileen Bell CBE- first female speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly 
• Bairbre de Brún, Bríd Rodgers and Carmel Hanna- first female Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive 
• Baroness Arlene Foster- first female First Minister of Northern Ireland 
• Mary Robinson - first female President of Ireland 
• Mary Harney - first female Tanaiste   
• Judith Gillespie CBE- first female Deputy Chief Constable 
• Lady Justice Siobhan Keegan - first female Chief Justice 
• Jane Morris - first female deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly 
• Baroness Nuala O’Loan - first female Police Ombudsman
• Professor Monica McWilliams - first female leader of a Northern Ireland Political party and the first female Human rights commissioner 

Chancellor’s Award for Services to the Community and Civic Leadership 

• Baroness May Blood (posthumously)
• Lyra McKee (posthumously)
• Loretta Brennan Glucksman
• Lady Sylvia Hermon
• Professor Mary McAleese
• Professor Meghan O’Sullivan
• Liz O'Donnell
• Baroness Eileen Paisley
• Dr Amanda Sloat
• Ambassador Nancy Soderberg
• Dr Avila Kilmurray
• Dawn Purvis

For further information on the Agreement 25 Conference at Queen’s, visit https://www.qub.ac.uk/agreement25/