The lyrics from the above popular song, by the legendary Queen B, seem to have hit the right note here in Anguilla. Queen B drew our attention to the glaring reality that despite the many advances made by women around the world, and in Anguilla, there are still no women serving as elected members of the House of Assembly. This has been the case for more than twenty-nine years. I am not sure why this is, as we live in a largely matriarchal society. Women have always been at the forefront of our development and would have played a critical role in the Revolution. The contributions made by former women Ministers of Government such as the late Mrs Albena Lake Hodge and the late Mrs Idalia Gumbs will always be remembered with great respect and admiration. So too will the insight and legal acumen of the late Dame Bernice Lake Queen’s Counsel, and the integral role she played in constitutional reform and the entrenchment of our fundamental rights and freedoms.
After such an extended hiatus in the House of Assembly, it is heartening to see that women are again stepping forward to vie for political office where they will be in the best position to effect change in Anguilla. On the AUM’s slate there is the tenacious and vibrant Kristy Richardson-Harrigan, a young attorney, who is a first-timer in the political arena and who seems determined to make her mark. On the AUF’s slate there is strong willed and analytical Cora Richardson-Hodge, another attorney, who is running for office for the second time and who has been working in her community despite her previous defeat at the polls. The AUF also recently launched another female candidate, Mrs Evalie Bradley, an experienced and highly respected former public servant, grounded in her faith and making her debut in the political arena. Independent candidate and outspoken advocate Palmavon (Pam) Webster, a senior attorney who has undoubtedly been actively engaged in community improvement over the past years, is also vying for office for a second time.
All these women must be applauded for their courage in entering the political arena, particularly since our brand of political campaigning, over the years, has been merciless. I believe their intentions are indeed noble and that they truly believe that they can bring a refreshingly different kind of leadership to Anguilla – the kind of leadership that places the wellbeing of people as the paramount consideration in every development agenda. I believe these ladies will work tirelessly in the interest of the people. Like mothers nurture their children, I believe they are likely to lead with wisdom, fairness, morality and compassion. I remind them that as women of virtue, our expectations of them are akin to the biblical description of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31:10 -31 which reads in part:
“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy… Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”
Indeed these are lofty ideals but, in my view, they are certainly not beyond the reach of the women who will be contesting the next general election. In fact, they should use this biblical reference as their personal philosophy particularly if they are successful at the polls. I often marvel that political leaders all over the world, who enter political office with good intentions, somehow lose focus along the way and end up tripping and falling over their own egos, selfishness and greed. Often such noble beginnings end in disgrace. I urge all female candidates, and all candidates in general, not to fall prey to this common non-communicable political disease. It will therefore be necessary for you to arm yourselves with humility, constant reminders of your underlying philosophy and purpose, and daily doses of prayer. Will the election of a woman to the Anguilla House of Assembly bring a different and welcome dimension to political discourse and leadership? Let’s wait and see.
