Ann-Marie O’Reilly

I received my Morrison Visa in August 1993 while living in London. At the time, I was contemplating a move to Australia, where my uncle, a lawyer, was already based. It wasn’t my original plan to go to the United States, but my roommate and friend applied for both of us to receive the Morrison Visa. She applied without telling me, actually. When the U.S. visa came through and the Australian one was proving difficult to secure, I took it as a sign. I settled in Queens, New York, where my mother had managed to connect me to a friend of a friend of a friend. My friend, who had submitted the application for us both, came later and moved in with her aunt in the Bronx.

Life before the U.S. was tough. I grew up in Ireland during the late ’70s and ’80s, when unemployment was at an all-time high and the Troubles were still ongoing. I’ll never forget my teachers telling us that there was “nothing for us in Ireland, especially those of us who were talented.” I was lucky to go to a two-year college in Athlone, thanks to an ESF grant when Ireland joined the EU. After graduating in 1989, I moved to London and worked in the office of the London Fire Brigade. But the anti-Irish sentiment there was very real. The IRA bombings meant Irish people like me were being targeted, and I faced significant backlash just for my nationality. It took a toll on my mental health. Honestly, getting the Morrison Visa changed everything. It gave me a way out and a new beginning.

“I still remember my second week in New York. I was interviewing for a job as a very naive 23-year-old, and someone complimented me on being Irish, they said they loved my accent.”

I had spent years in London afraid to speak up, worried I’d be judged or insulted. In that moment, I realized I had found my home and my people. I was welcome here, and that feeling has never left me.

But it wasn’t all easy. My friend didn’t arrive right away, so I had to depend on the kindness of strangers, people my mum had contacted through her own network. I didn’t know a soul in New York City, and there was no social media to help you connect. That’s why places like the Emerald Isle Immigration Center and the Aisling Irish Center were absolutely essential. They were the beating heart of the Irish community, helping people find jobs, housing, and a sense of belonging. They played a huge role in setting me on the path to success.

One of my biggest goals when I arrived was to finish my college degree. Back in Ireland, I could only afford a two-year associate degree. So, when I got here, I applied to Baruch, Hunter, and Columbia. I was accepted to both Hunter and Columbia but chose Hunter because Columbia’s tuition and limited financial aid were simply out of reach. I started at Baruch in business, but I quickly transferred to psychology, I’ve always been fascinated by people and wanted to help others.

What I’m most proud of is building a successful career on Wall Street as an HR executive. I’ve built HR functions from the ground up, helped launch an office in Bangalore, spent time on secondment in London, and traveled the world in my role. None of it would have been possible without the Morrison Visa. The U.S. gave me that chance, and I grabbed it with both hands.

The Morrison Visa is the reason I am where I am today. It’s the foundation of my success, but more importantly, it’s the reason I’m happy. Without it, I wouldn’t be in the United States. Bruce Morrison’s foresight and generosity gave people like me a future. I will be forever grateful.