Kingstown, St. Vincent, March 15, 2009 – A senior female executive member of Grenada’s ruling National Democratic Congress party wants women to take a larger leadership role in the affairs of their countries and the Caribbean.
MP Glynis Roberts, Treasurer of the NDC, told a group of Vincentian women on Sunday that one of the main requirements for leadership is passion.
“This is the challenge I leave with you today – to bring your passion and leadership skills and abilities to the task of nation-building, and in realizing the vision of a better tomorrow, and a better life, for our children and grandchildren,’’ Mrs. Roberts said in the keynote address to a women’s convent in Kingstown of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) of St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
A two-time MP for St. George South, and the Minister of Labour and Social Services, Mrs. Roberts’ visit to St. Vincent was as a result of an invitation from the ULP to the NDC.
“My presence here today bears great significance,’’ the NDC MP said. “For one, this clearly shows the level of cooperation that exists among our islands and symbolizes, in a real and profound way, that regional integration is not simply rhetoric but it’s genuinely a part of our daily lives.’’
Here’s the full text of the message delivered by Honourable Glynis Roberts to the Unity Labour Party’s women’s convention in Kingstown, St. Vincent.
I am extremely honored and elated to address this important gathering. I have very fond memories of places that I have visited and people that I had met here on this majestic island. I have also met genuine friends at regional and international gatherings. My presence here today bears great significance: For one, this clearly shows the level of cooperation that exists among our islands and symbolizes, in a real and profound way, that regional integration is not simply rhetoric but it’s genuinely a part of our daily lives. Additionally, my presence here today, strongly demonstrates the confidence and importance that are placed on women in this region. Hence, the reason I readily accepted the invitation to attend this event.
Let me take a brief moment to divert and greet all the fine netball players of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. I want to thank you for the excitement and thrill of your performances in the matches against Grenada. Regardless of the outcome of the game, we were – and still are – one Caribbean, one family.
Please allow me to take the opportunity to congratulate the organizers of this event for their initiative to recognize and emulate our trailblazing and pioneering women folk and, also very importantly, to engage other younger women to be active and strategic partners in the development of this nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the story is told of a blind old wise man that lived in a tiny village. It seemed that he could answer any question that was posed to him. One day a boy, with a bird in his hand, figured he could outsmart the wise old man. He said, “Old man in my hand is a bird. Is it alive or dead?” The old man was quiet. The boy asked again, “Old man in my hand is a bird. Is it alive or dead?” Still the old man said nothing. The boy for the third time asked again, “Old man in my hand is a bird. Is it alive or dead?” Then the old man gave his answer: “If I say it is alive you will crush it and it will be dead. If I say it is dead, then you will open your hands and let it fly away. The fate of the bird is in your hands.’’ That’s much like our life; it is in our hands.
Women, the future of this island – in fact the future of the entire Caribbean – depends on you. Now is the time! Today there is a call for women to put their hearts and minds to work to create the machinery needed to transform our countries.
As it is written in Mark 10:43: “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.” Greatness in the eyes of Jesus is serving others. I thank the Almighty for His many gifts and blessings. I am able to address you here today because I am a Minister of Government; not because of my education and qualification, not because I have great fame. I am here today because I dedicated my life to serve people. This is my passion. We will not see a better nation unless we have passion.
I am eternally grateful for the sweat and perseverance of my mother and grandmother. No one knows better about harsh economic realities, about saving pennies, and of stretching a dollar, than our mothers and grandmothers who fed us, clothed us and sent us to school on a shoe-string budget. They were great economists. Their degree was not earned at the University of the West Indies or Harvard or Oxford. It was earned at the “School of the Hard Knocks,’’ meeting life’s daily challenges in their homes in Kingstown, in St. George’s and in small rural villages in Grenada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
I am also able to be here today because of the efforts of the early Women’s Movement in the Caribbean. This Movement encouraged women’s active participation in all aspects of social, economic and political life in the Caribbean. The champions of the Movement worked tirelessly for the removal and dismantling of every and all barriers – legal, economic, political and social – that were hampering and impeding women’s progress towards equal rights and full and complete inclusion in the mainstream of society.
The world is changing rapidly. It is said that the only thing that remains constant is change. The year 2008 was indeed very historic. We saw changes that appeared humanly impossible. We looked on with emotion as we saw one man change the world with a single phrase: “Yes, we can!!” Too long have we, women, been in the background in supportive roles.. Now is the time for more of us to step forward and take leadership positions in our parties and governments. We are not here to bash our men folk – our husbands, sons, fathers and brothers. Our male politicians – including your very own Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves – have tried their utmost and have served us to the best of their abilities. However, one cannot help but wonder, what it would be like if more of our women folk take up the mantle and lead. Now is the time; not tomorrow, not next week, not next month or next year.
The theme chosen for this event is extremely relevant and also expresses urgency: There is a demand for your time and your talent.. You cannot always also lead from behind. At times we need to step forward and take our rightful place. A place was made for you by many of your champions who have now moved on. Women are needed to organize, protect and develop our most prized possession, the family – the basic unit of society. From my research, I learnt that for most Vincentians, the umbilicus or “navel string” is planted under a fruit-bearing tree shortly after birth, so that the child will have a healthy and productive life. What happens to that custom if you do not put your heart into it? What happens to that promise if you don’t step forward? As Betty Milder once wrote, “If you’re passionate about something, then you should pick up your flag and run with it.”
Women, you have what it takes to turn adversity into advantage. As the world faces this economic downturn, each person must carefully manage her financial life. Unique to us as women is our ability to do a lot with little. We are called to transmit values of honesty, contentment, integrity and self-control. You, as women, are also needed to be part of the team to win the war against many of the ills that threaten our very existence: Poverty, drug abuse, environmental degradation, HIV and AIDS, crime and violence in general – and especially against women and children.
Our governments have made a commitment to achieve some targets by the year 2015. Small Island Developing States would only be able to achieve this humongous task with the help, support, involvement and leadership of our women. To many, this task seems over-ambitious. But I am strongly convinced that the task would come to fruition if our women first understand their role, then step forward and take up the mantle. We know if we can perceive it, we can achieve it (Yes, we can!).
As a government minister and from my own research, I am very aware of the work of the United Nations Development Fund and the UN in general. The United Nations UNIFEM program addresses four priority areas — reducing feminized poverty and exclusion; promoting gender equality in democratic governance and post-conflict development; ending violence against women; and halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS. The UN believes that if these goals are accomplished, then we will also achieve the MDGS. All key players – in government, the NGOs and other sectors – must therefore play their part in this process. And there must be no bigger player than you, me and all the women of St. Vincent and the rest of the Caribbean Community.
Your government realizes that you possess the power to move things. “Power consists in one’s capacity to link his will with the purpose of others, to lead by reason and a gift of cooperation”. Woodrow Wilson
Janet O. Hagbergy wrote: “People with passion are incredibly inventive and tenacious individuals. They go way beyond the call of duty and frequently either work on the call of duty without pay or give more of themselves than their pay warrants.”
We need women to be passionate! Passion to accompany your understanding and acceptance of your important role in society and the world. Passion to start now – not tomorrow, not next week, not next month, not next year – but to start now to change this nation, this region and the world in which we live. This is the challenge I leave with you today: To bring your passion and leadership skills and abilities to the task of nation-building, and in realizing the vision of a better tomorrow, and a better life, for our children and grandchildren.
May GOD bless you all abundantly.
