Helen Carroll is a presenter on RTE Television’s Food and Farming programme, Ear to the Ground. In the past, Helen has worked extensively in television, for RTE and TV3, both in front of and behind the camera – as a researcher, reporter, presenter and producer.  She also worked as a sports reporter/presenter for RTE radio.

Helen lives in rural county Kilkenny with her husband and two children. When she’s not working, she can be found puttering around her garden and polytunnel (where she grows all her own fruit and vegetables) or looking after her beehives

Because I am a Girl I ask …that we forget about criticising other girls and put that energy into supporting and praising each other and celebrating our achievements

Because I am a Girl I believe… that the world would be a much better place if more girls were in positions of authority.

Because I am a Girl I hope… that my daughter will never be made to feel anything less than equal. And my son will never look on a girl as anything other than equal.

Because I am a Girl I wonder about… the future of Irish farming. Farming families are getting smaller. Smaller families means fewer sons and that means more daughters will inherit the farm. What difference will all these farming women make?

Because I am a Girl I dream about… never feeling guilty about things like working too much, working too little or not working at all.

Because I am a Girl I remember… growing up with four brothers and never feeling that I was any different from them. Apart from the fact that, unlike my brothers, I couldn’t play hurling to save my life!

Because I am a Girl I like… people with a sense of humour, people who can laugh at themselves and people who make me smile

Because I am a Girl I dislike… the pressure that’s put on girls to look a certain way. It’s a pressure that can be overpowering when you’re young, but is easier to ignore as you get older. Probably because you start to care a lot less about what other people think of you

Because I am a Girl I feel… very thankful for all that I have.

Because I am a Girl I celebrate… the fact that I’m a girl.