NESTA PATRICK
HONORARY DEGREE FOR PATRICK
Stories by Allison Shepherd
Sunday Express
November 4, 2001
Page 16
Nesta Patrick, suffering from a leg injury, was wheeled royally onto the stage on Friday night at UWI to receive her honorary degree.
The well known social activist and human rights proponent was one of two recipients of honorary degrees at the ceremony for the presentation of graduates at the St Augustine campus. The other was Dr Stephen Bennet, well-known vet and pioneer in buffalypso breeding.
Patrick, a graduate of the University College of the West Indies, Mona Jamaica; University of Bristol, England; Pace University,and Columbia University is well-known for her work with the rights of children and women. She was the first recipient of the Caricom Award for Women, 1984; the Trinidad Express Newspapers Individual of the Year Award, 1982, and the award for Pioneering Work in Special Education, 1988.
She was in the first generation of Trinidadians to receive professional training in social work at UWI. Patrick can be found on most days at the Rape Crisis Centre in Port of Spain.
During her address, the main one of the night, she urged for a more even gender balance in our society, and with this plea repeated a similar call by Vice-Chancellor of the University Rex Nettleford.
"As educated progressive men and women, you must become involved and committed in order to create a gender balance that this society lacks," she said.
"Have the courage to tune out the voices that say you can't do this, or circumvent the obstacles put in your path. Be honest with yourselves. Follow your instincts. Break barriers. Don't take 'no' for an answer. Take risks. Analyse your strengths and weaknesses, explore, challenge and overcome your weaknesses, break new ground, gain new territory and win confidence in your ability to succeed."
In spite of the accolades being heaped on her and her life's work, Patrick touched on the events and consequences surrounding the September 11 attacks on the US, questioning the important things in life.
"Is it the soul-depressing rat race for materialism?" she asked. "Or should we re-discover our God-given spirituality, whatever our faith? Should we look more closely at family life and its values: respect for elders; respect for each other whatever race, religion or status, and respect for self as part of living?"
She begged the gathering and especially the graduands to strive to bring about a more equitable world order.
"Don't tell me that the scene is too difficult. In humility, my life's work disapproves this. Each one of you can make a difference. Your bearings for making this difference are your faith, your courage and your commitment."
Patrick then told the graduands that though they may wonder at the worthiness of her honour and look at her "evident seniority and fading years," she had no claim to scholarship, beauty or financial success, she however had lived long and her experiences had matched her years.
For Patrick there are four main tenets in this time of uncertainty: