WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE
Women of the Century
Independent
January 14, 2000
Page 18
On
this page we bring you just a handful of those who paved the path for others to
follow.
1.
Isabel Teshea, Trinidad and Tobago's first female Minister of Housing. A pioneer in the political field, Teshea worked
her way up the ranks of the People's National Movement's Women's League to
command a post in the country's political directorate. A rare thing for a woman in the 60s. She carried herself with dignity, charm and
remained as one of the most pleasant human beings one could have known. Because of these qualities she also represented
her country in the diplomatic arena.
2.
Jessica Phillips was the first to lead the women's arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Police
Service. She possessed a strong, heavy
physique and her very presence commanded deep respect. She was also known have special affection for
the young ones and performed her duties with fairness to all.
3.
Public servant and
popular model Gene Miles took on the powerful
PNM administration in an anti-corruption campaign in the 1960s and paid the
ultimate price. She caused a commission
of inquiry to be launched into what became known as the "Gas Station
racket". But along the way Miles,
who was rumoured as having an affair with PNM minister John O'Halloran, lost
her job, became a nervous wreck and in the end died a virtual vagrant.
4.
Doctor
Stella Abidh spent almost her entire working life in the service of
the public as a medical officer. In
1988 she received the second highest honour, the Chaconia Medal Gold, for
public service.
5.
In 1988, former opposition
politician Lilas Wight received her National
Award, the Humming Bird Medal Silver, from then President Noor Hassanali. A popular public figure in her time Wight represented
the constituency of Pointe-a-Pierre on behalf of the Democratic Labour Party.
6.
Should Muriel
Donawa McDavidson decide to write her memoirs, no doubt it would make
very, very interesting reading. A
pioneer in her won right this foundation member of the People's National Movement
who hails originally from south Trinidad, also blazed a political trail from
the 50s to the 80s. She served as
a minister in successive PNM administrations. Her political life took a fateful turn when
she fell out with political leader Patrick Manning when the party was tasting
its first stint in opposition in the late 1980s. in a completely unexpected move she renamed the PNM "Patrick's
National Movement" in the parliament. A Sai Baba devotee, Donawa McDavidson, is still
around working with the UNC administration.