Meet Cllr Sue McGarry

March is Women’s History Month, and across the globe, the achievements of women are being celebrated. There are five women on the Thame Town Council. This week, we meet Cllr Sue McGarry.

Tell us about yourself – where were you raised, schooled, and what is your connection to Thame?

My father was in the RAF, so as a child we lived in quite a few different places. With my husband I moved to Thame when our boys were small. We were looking to put down roots in a small town with a great community feel – we certainly found it in Thame!
 
What do you consider to be your greatest contribution/achievement, and why?

I hope that I’ve made a positive contribution to everything I’ve done, both professionally and personally.
 
What is your vision for Thame? How would you like to see the town evolve over the next 10 or 20 years?

I know that Thame will change – it’s changed a lot in the years I’ve lived here – but I’m sure that the sense of community will remain. I’d love to see some badly needed facilities come to fruition – a new health centre, the proposed community hub, the cycleway to Haddenham – and maybe even that budget supermarket! But most of all I’d like Thame to stay as a small market town with lots of character.
 
Who is your shero (woman you regard as a hero), and why?

My shero is not a single woman, but every woman who has fought—and those who continue to fight—for women’s rights across the globe, often at great personal cost. Their commitment has resulted in great progress, but there’s still a long way to go to ensure that all women have the equality, opportunities, safety and dignity they deserve.
 
What is the greatest advice you have ever received or lesson you have ever learned?

When I was in the Brownies we were always told to ‘Be prepared’ – that’s stayed with me – although I think sometimes, I’m over-prepared!
 
How would you like to be remembered?

I’d like to be remembered as someone who tried their best to be kind and thoughtful, and who worked to make the lives of others a little bit better, even in small ways.