A WOMAN originally from Sri Lanka but adopted by a Co Tyrone couple at just three weeks old has spoke of the racism she faced growing up.
Appearing on The Tommy Tiernan Show, diversity, equity and inclusion leader Sheree Atcheson described the challenges she experienced in Coalisland as a child and how she "succeeded out of spite".
Ms Atcheson was adopted by George and Marian Atcheson in the early 1990s and lived in the Co Tyrone town until she left for university aged 18.
Following her studies, she carved out a successful career as a software engineer and went on to establish a non-profit organisation for women in the tech industry.
She speaks openly of her motivation to champion diversity in the workplace, having been bullied in her youth due to the colour of her skin.
Speaking on the RTÉ One show on Saturday, Ms Atcheson, who recently released a book 'Demanding More, looked back on being born into poverty in Sri Lanka, her adoption and growing up in Co Tyrone and making the journey to reconnect with her family.
"Growing up back home, my brother faced a lot of racism," she said.
"We were called the N-word. We had to go different routes home from school and stuff like that, because we were brown."
But she said that the challenges she faced growing up spurred her on to become successful.
"In all honesty, I succeeded out of spite," she said.
Ms Atcheson added that "so many people speak and never think", which prompted comedian Tiernan to admit it is "certainly something that I do in stand-up, you don’t think".
She added: "Many people lack awareness outside of our wee bubble. I just wish people would burst that bubble more often".
