The unveiling event in Queen’s Great Hall takes place in a landmark year for the University as it marks 180 years since first opening its doors. As part of this anniversary, Queen’s is reflecting on its rich history and celebrating the people who have profoundly influenced its legacy.

Speaking about Monica’s influence on the University, Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor at Queen’s said:

“Few individuals have had as significant an impact on Queen’s and Northern Ireland as Professor McWilliams. Her life and work have been defined by community activism, courageous leadership, and a firm belief in the power of dialogue.

“Monica’s legacy has transformed lives, and made our society fairer and more peaceful. It is an immense privilege for Queen’s to host her portrait within our historic walls, where her presence will continue to inspire for centuries to come.”

A proud alumna of Queen’s, Professor McWilliams completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University, and was named an Honorary Graduate in 2021.

A co-founding member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Monica played a pivotal role in ensuring women’s voices were represented during the 1998 Good Friday Agreement negotiations - helping to shape a peace process that was inclusive, forward-looking, and humane.

Her commitment to human rights continued through her leadership as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (2005–2011). Today, she remains a tireless advocate for peace and justice, serving on the Independent Reporting Commission on the disbandment of paramilitary organisations, working with victims and survivors at WAVE and with international peacebuilding organisations including Interpeace and Concern.

Professor Monica McWilliams said of the new portrait unveiling:

“I spent my formative years at Queens University when conflict was waging all around us. I became an accidental activist during that time and have been privileged ever since to work with peace building, human rights and humanitarian organisations.

“I am extremely proud to be associated with the University’s Gender Initiative and to have my portrait commissioned this particular year, the 180th anniversary of Queens. It was a special delight to meet Ciaran Harper who worked wonders on the final product.”

Professor McWilliams’ portrait will now hang in Queen’s Great Hall, joining other eminent figures who have shaped the University and wider society.

The portrait forms part of the Queen’s Gender Initiative (QGI) Portrait Series, developed in partnership with the Naughton Gallery. When Queen’s opened in 1845, women were largely absent from campus life, and for many years, weren’t represented among the University’s portraits.

Thanks to the QGI Portrait Series, Queen’s has made deliberate and meaningful progress in fixing that imbalance, commissioning portraits of remarkable women including Baroness May Blood, Dame Rotha Johnston, Dr Raja Al Gurg, and now, Professor McWilliams.

The artist behind Monica’s portrait is Ciarán Harper, a painter known for his textured style and exploration of identity through art. A graduate of Ulster University, Harper’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and this portrait marks his first painting to enter the University’s permanent collection.

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