Build on rich legacy women soldiers urged
By Wendella Davidson
Guyana Chronicle
February 10, 2007
THE apparent paucity of historical material on the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has prompted Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Christine King to suggest the undertaking of a special project for posterity.
Now Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), she has also urged all serving female soldiers to build on the rich legacy of the Corps and has challenged them to seek to build on their combat and non-combat skills which will prepare them for the demands of the Army and those of the society.
The former head of the WAC who retired from the Army in 2005, made the observation and request Tuesday during remarks before officially declaring open and cutting the ceremonial ribbon at an exhibition which showcased the skills of females on the job in art, craft, pictures and culinary delights.
Venue for the one-day event, part of the activities to mark the WAC’s 40th Anniversary, celebrated on February 6, and chaired by W/Lt Yvonne Smith, was the Camp Ayanganna playground, Thomas Lands.
Lt. Col. King recalled that the exhibition is not the first of its kind for the WAC and not the first that Army women have participated in exhibitions, having represented the Force and the Corps on numerous occasions at exhibitions even at the national level.
But, she noted, “there seems to be a paucity of historical material on the Women’s Army Corps, and since we already have a military museum, it would be worth the while to engage in a special project for the 41st Anniversary aimed at the compilation and preservation of items of significance for the benefit not only of serving members, but for future members of the Force and for posterity.”
“The United States Army Women in 2005 observed 50 years since the establishment of their museum. The museum displays artefacts, exhibits and photographs that trace the history of women in the U.S. army from the early 1940s. In like manner the British and Canadians have preserved records, photographs and other materiel of women who served their respective armies over sixty years ago.”
Among those at the exhibition were Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier General Edward Collins; present head of the WAC, Lt. Col. Windee Algernon; Minister in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox; Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and one of the initial four officers of the WAC, Ms. Clarissa Riehl; Ms. Cheryl Pickering–Moore, the first female pilot in the GDF, now a serving pilot with LIAT; W/Major (Retired) Michalene Wilson; Lt. Col. (Retired) Hartley Liverpool, one of the first four instructors of the initial batch of females of the WAC; Ms. V. Primo and Ms. Ingrid King representing the ex-GDF associations of New York and Canada, respectively; Senior Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned officers and soldiers (serving and retired), civilian employees and friends of the GDF.
King said the WAC plays an important role in the operations of the GDF and recalled that at the outset, it was meant to provide a body of trained officers and women to be a ready reserve in any type of emergency, and to reinforce the regular elements and replace them in non-combatant duties.
“It is with this in mind that Army women have been given access to training to acquire skills of soldiering. But despite limitations in terms of their combat role, however, female soldiers have fulfilled their mandate and have served the Force with distinction over the past four decades. Of course, this could not have been done without the support of the Force’s administration and government, past and present.”
To cheers from the females, King posited that women in the Army have the edge over their male counterparts because of their diverse skills which prepare them for life beyond the GDF.
A random check at the security services will reveal that there are more ex-Army men in the security services than Army women, and the women who are not in the security services are either more qualified or have several skills for employment in a variety of areas, she added.
It was on this note that King challenged all the serving female soldiers to “aim at building on your combat and non-combat skills as best as you can; this will prepare you for the demands of the Force as well as that of the society at large.”
Standing tall and proud among the women and to a warm welcome from the audience, differently-able Lt. Col. Liverpool, who resides overseas, delivered greetings on behalf of the ex-GDF Association, New York Chapter.
Considered an icon on the historical aspect of the GDF in addition to the WAC, having served in all the units of the Army, Liverpool spent some time reminiscing with the audience on some of the occurrences prior to, leading to, and after the formation of the WAC.
An impressive dance display `Amour’ by the five females of the Donamix Dance Group of the Newtown Assemblies of God Church, Newtown, Kitty, wearing camouflage hats, and jerseys complemented by black over-vests and pants, was all part of the opening session.
Following, those present viewed the display of pictures of past and present female officers and soldiers; equipment used at work by the females and other things on show.
In an invited comment after being taken on a conducted tour by Lt Col. Algernon, Minister Fox lauded the members of the WAC who she described as “real models for women in the society - young women and even women who are married with kids - who have sacrificed their lives to serve their country.”
“I’m really impressed with the exhibition because of the way they (female soldiers) were able to articulate what is happening in every field they are in and in spite of all of that, that there is the soft side of women in this Army.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the Women’s Army, particularly because I know they have to be so strong in everything, all the things that the men are doing they have to do, and in some instances they probably do it better than the men. They are fit and are dedicated to serving the country and in spite of everything, of all we say about Guyana, we have some of the toughest women...and we can see that the cream of the crop serve in the Army. They are keeping the faith, they’re strong, their maternal instincts are strong too,” the minister added.