Aileen Tighe has had a deeply meaningful impact on my Toastmasters journey, both as a speaker and as a person. I joined this Toastmasters club in April last year after exploring a few clubs around Dublin, and from the very first meeting, the warmth of the people stood out. Aileen, in particular, made a strong impression on me. As someone who is soft-spoken, she breaks the stereotype that confidence needs to be loud to be heard. The way she speaks with calm, clarity, a bit of humor and presence showed me that people listen when there is authenticity behind the words. That was something I strongly related to and aspired to.
From the beginning, Aileen supported my growth in a very genuine way. She mentored and evaluated my Icebreaker speech and gave me thoughtful, encouraging feedback that stayed with me. There were moments when I doubted myself after a speech or felt disappointed when things did not go as planned. In those moments, Aileen was someone I could talk to openly. Her words of reassurance helped me see that mistakes are part of learning and that growth does not come from perfection, but from showing up honestly.
As our bond grew over time, our connection extended beyond Toastmasters meetings. I invited Aileen to my Diwali celebration, which was her first time celebrating the festival. My mother was visiting, and we prepared traditional homemade food together. It was a warm, joyful evening, and everyone had a really good time. I’ve attached photos from the celebration to share those moments. On that occasion, Aileen very thoughtfully gifted me a poetry book by W.B. Yeats, knowing my interest in poetry. That gesture meant a lot to me.
There are many experienced people we meet in life, but only a few with whom we feel safe enough to be vulnerable, to share doubts, mistakes, and raw thoughts without fear of judgment. For me, Aileen is one of those people.
Thank you, Aileen, for everything you have given through your support, kindness, and presence. And thank you to Toastmasters for providing a space where connections like this can be formed, where learning feels human, and where meaningful bonds are built.
Yashu Dhatrika
Dublin Toastmasters- Buswell Hotel
