For some time now, I have been pondering that there is an increasing and urgent need for more Anguillian women to enter the political arena and, when elected, to assume important leadership positions on the island.
I have been privileged, during my tenure as Leader of the Anguilla Revolution, to have had scores of women as heroines and freedom fighters at my side. I was further blessed to have had two notable women, the late Idahlia Gumbs, and the late Albena Lake-Hodge, as Ministers in my Government while serving as Chief Minister.
They were excellent in their performance and added much to a more stable and influential Government – and had the respect and admiration of all and sundry. They were symbols of pride to all other women on the island and we owe a debt of gratitude to them.In short, if there is anybody in Anguilla who knows about the value and contribution of women in politics and leadership, it is I.
For this, and other reasons, I have been disappointed that since then, only a few Anguillian women have shown interest and courage in entering the political arena, and none of them has been elected to ministerial office.
In calling for more women to come forward to lead Anguilla in these difficult and uncertain times, I can only point to myself. I was once a lowly person with the background of a shepherd and a milk boy, but, armed with love for my country and people, I rose to the occasion to become the leader of Anguilla. Today, I am retired from active politics, but my desire to see Anguilla with good leadership is as fervent now as it was in the dark days of 1967.
We have in Anguilla a number of women who have played, and continue to perform, major roles in building our society – and in many respects they are the backbone of the progress we now enjoy. I salute our women for their untiring commitment – and for making a difference in our society – and I truly submit that the time has come for more women to occupy frontline positions in Anguilla’s political arena.
History has away of repeating itself, and we need the “women power” of 1967 to ensure that Anguilla moves forward. Our women must become agents of change and standard bearers to lead our island and people into the future. All around us, on the regional and international levels,we see influential women taking the lead with dignity and courage – with many of our male folk looking on in admiration.
I am calling on our men to see the worth of our women and to encourage them to assume the mantle of leadership in Anguilla. Promoting our women does not diminish the responsibility or dignity of our men.
On the contrary, it should strengthen the hand of our men and help them to face the challenges of life in a more efficient and effective manner. There are no boundaries to what women can accomplish in Anguilla and in our world today. They must not play second fiddle to our men but, where possible, stand shoulder toshoulder with them in the leadership of Anguilla.
My hope is built on our women. May our men, one day soon, step aside and give them the chance they should have to hold positions of leadership and influence in Anguilla.
