The woman of the century
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY ABOUT
Who would you nominate for Guyana's Woman of the Century? Following are the views of the man/woman-in-the-street. Basil Bharat - businessman: 'The Woman of the Century would come from a group of women who have been active in politics from around the 40's and 50's and include Jane Phillips-Gay, Janet Jagan and Winifred Gaskin for their contribution to the political development and independence struggle for this country. They lived through some of the toughest times this country would have gone through. Lynette Dolphin, too, must be recognised for her contribution in the field of art and culture and in education in general. Olga Lopes-Seales, former broadcaster who began the Radio Needy Children's Fund. When you reminisce there are many women who have made sterling contributions in every field of Guyana's development.' Diane Coltress - computer specialist: 'Four women come to mind. Janet Jagan who has been active on the local political scene since the first half of the century; Shirley Field-Ridley for her academic brilliance; Chief Justice Desiree Bernard for intellectual scholarship and; Gail Teixeira for sheer grit and determination.' Kweku McDonald - contract officer: 'My choice is Janet Jagan. She has been politically active for more than half of this century and still is.' Julian Johnson - teacher/photographer: 'My choice is the late educator, Lilian Dewar, who has been a pioneer for women in the field of education. She led by example encouraging other women educators to follow. Without education we cannot have a nation. Education is the key to success. Joycelyn Loncke, who is still around, needs some recognition for her contribution to music and the creative arts. Another woman is Dr Enid Denbow who shows that a person can achieve whatever one sets out to do. From a nurse she became the Caribbean's leading heart specialist. She was the country's first female chief medical officer.' Jasodra Singh - housewife: 'I know of no other woman who has been a public figure for women in politics or in any other field in Guyana for over half my life as Janet Jagan. So she is my choice for Guyana's Woman of the Century. Her achievement of the office of the presidency of this land is proof of her contribution to Guyana's politics and development.' Ibrahim Nazar - businessman: 'May Rodrigues, for all the things she has done for the disenfranchised women, is my candidate for Guyana's Woman of the Century. As a person she worked selflessly with girls and women in unfortunate circumstances and put a programme in place to help them when they could have fallen by the wayside. Instead of giving them handouts, she equipped them with skills to make a living. In this way she has helped families and society in general. My next candidate is Olga Lopes-Sealey who began the Radio Needy Children's Fund spreading Christmas cheer among the needy children.' Mrs Gomes - housewife: 'In spite of all the ups and downs and all that is said about her nationality, Mrs Jagan is the only person who comes to mind. She is the country's first female President, first female Prime Minister, first female parliamentarian and first female city councillor. She has been a pioneer for women in many areas breaking tradition where only men once dominated. She has withstood opposition resolutely for what she believed in.' Volda Albert - public sector employee: 'The first person who comes to mind for me is Florizel `Dolly' Matthews because of her contribution in the field of social work. She has used her experience as a former chief probation and welfare officer to help reform persons whom others had given up on. She is also dedicated and committed to helping the poor and the downtrodden. Today she is still a member of the parole board, the Salvation Army and an active member of the St Sidwell's Anglican Parish. She is involved in a lot of charity work.' Daniel Hargoon - self-employed: 'The only person to come to mind immediately is Janet Jagan because, our country's first female president. She is a naturalised Guyanese who lost her American citizenship because she chose to become Guyanese and fought along with Dr (Cheddi) Jagan, Burnham and others in this country's independence struggle. She was a founder of the People's Progressive Party along with her husband Dr Cheddi Jagan and has fought for women's rights. As an individual she has made a sterling contribution to the political development of this country.' Elva Wilson - nurse/social worker student: 'Winifred Gaskin would be my first choice because of the important role she played as an educator and a politician. She has also fought for women's rights and probably achieved it easier than most because of her academic brilliance. My next candidate is Janet Jagan because of her contribution to local politics which has earned her many distinctions including being Guyana's first female president. After Mrs Jagan I would nominate Viola Burnham for her contribution to education and to the women's movement and for the role she played standing by former president Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham whom I regard as one of Guyana's heroes.'
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