Margaret Skinnider was born on January 18, 1892 in Coatbridge, Scotland. She was the daughter of John Skinnider and Margaret Hanlon, and had three sisters. The Skinnider family moved to Glasgow when Margaret was young, where she became involved in socialist and feminist activism.

In 1911, Margaret moved to Dublin to attend classes at the University College Dublin. While there, she became a member of the Irish Citizen Army, a socialist and republican group that played a key role in the Easter Rising.

During the Rising, Margaret fought alongside James Connolly in the City Hall garrison, and was seriously wounded in the Battle of St. Stephen’s Green. Despite her injuries, she escaped to Scotland, where she underwent several surgeries to remove bullets from her body.

After the Rising, Margaret continued her activism, joining Sinn Féin and becoming involved in the War of Independence. She wrote a memoir about her experiences in the Rising, “Doing My Bit for Ireland,” which was published in 1917.

Margaret also worked as a teacher and journalist, and continued to advocate for women’s rights throughout her life. She returned to Dublin in 1919, and became the first female member of the Dublin Trades Council.

Margaret’s commitment to the Irish cause never wavered. She passed away in 1971, and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. Her bravery and dedication to the fight for Irish independence will always be remembered.