Twenty-five years after Ann’s death in Brussels from bone cancer, Chris talks about her inspirational sister, her drive and her warm, infectious personality. 

The first in their family to go to university – despite their father wondering why his daughters just didn’t get a job in the local factory – Ann showed determination from a young age. Chris says: “I always remember her being very different, you know. I didn't actually appreciate how different she was until I grew older.” 

Remembering her “studying morning, noon and night” in a pretty cold bedroom, Chris says: “I’d get up in the morning and she'd already done a couple of hours studying before going to school, and then the same later in the evening. Her education was so important, and that made me realise that education was really important.  

“From my point of view, as a child in the 60s, growing up in Strabane, she opened my eyes to the fact that there was a way out, that there were different opportunities, especially for women. And she always, always challenged the status quo and listened to everyone’s points of view” 

Ann’s time at Queen’s was set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights marches which she actively supported. A decade later, Chris heard from a lecturer that her sister had been hit by a stone at a march but still showed up for class with a bleeding and infected cut to her head. 

“She went into the hospital to get it seen to and whoever the doctor was at the time said: ‘women like you shouldn't be out protesting; you should be at home.’ Ann politely declined his treatment and went to class”. 

After graduating from Queen’s, Ann went on to complete an MA Master at London's Institute of Latin American Studies followed by a role with the Joint Working Group for Refugees from Latin America (JWGRLA). This inspired her to become a campaigner for the rights of Latin American workers, particularly in mines and similar industries. She developed education programmes for trade unionists and miners' wives, helping many escape harsh conditions. 

“She met a lot of influential politicians in her day, she obviously had to and to gain their trust, but it was much more important to be at grassroots level trying to make a difference where it really mattered, especially in the mines in Chile. The mine owners didn’t just control the mines; they owned the houses and villages. The work that she did was helping people escape that tyranny.”  

So, it felt only right for me to support the Ann Browne Scholarship, enabling post graduate students on Conflict Resolution and Social Justice to achieve their ambitions. 

In letters from her sister – designed to improve Chris’ Spanish – Chris learned about the realities of the situation: “The women were giving birth down the mines because if they went above, then regime would probably imprison them, at best, or at worst, they'd be murdered. So, she saved thousands of Chilean lives. There's no doubt about it.” 

Ann welcomed Chilean refugees into her own home and was officially thanked by the Chilean government for saving thousands of lives in Chile. After her death, a group of Chileans travelled to Strabane to personally thank their mother and father. 

Chris, a Queen’s graduate, and Honorary Graduate who was until her retirement, Chief Operating Officer of EasyJet, credits her success to her sister’s influence: 

“When I think back, she was exceptional. I wouldn't have dared to dream or believe that I could have achieved a fraction of what I have - she was the one who opened my eyes, was truly inspirational with a steely determination only matched by an impressive sense of fairness and equality for all. 

I still miss her.”