It's not education but...

She's one of the survivors of the Birmingham pub bombings. We met at the launch of an art exhibition in the Mailbox yesterday to celebrate the heritage of the Rotunda.
This softly-spoken dignified woman was hurled into the air when the IRA bomb went off in the Mulberry Bush below the Rotunda where was having a drink with her fiancé. She nearly lost her life and at the age of 21 was left permanently scarred physically.
Sitting on a bench in the middle of the gallery I could only just hear her voice amid the din of the trendy people chatting and drinking champagne at the exhibition launch party.
But what this quiet, dignified woman had to say should resonate loud and clear in today's world. She could have easily been left bitter by the explosion that ripped apart her life.
But she wasn't. Instead, she has spent much of her life to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation. She's sat down and talked to former IRA terrorists. Today, she works at a children's centre in Ladywood, without fuss or fanfare.
Grabbing her for a chat, I thought she might be annoyed by another journalist asking her to relive that terrible time 34 years ago - she must have been asked about it a thousand times.
But instead, she was open, honest, humble and generous with her time. She spoke of forgiveness. Of seeing the positive in life. Of peace and understanding.
I would liked to have talked to her longer and asked her where she got her outlook from. Was it religion? An in-built philosophy on life? Family?
But the background noise was getting too loud and there were other people for Maureen to talk to.
Journalists have to spend a lot of time dealing with the pompous, egotistical and self-promoting shouters of this world.
Meeting someone like Maureen restores your faith in humanity.
Anyway, you can read more about what this remarkable woman has to say in tomorrow's Post, hopefully.