A few weeks ago, we celebrated Women’s Week – a commendable effort of the Gender Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Home Affairs. During the week a number of interviews with women were aired on radio. In those frank exchanges several women, of all ages and backgrounds, in our community told their stories, shared their joys, challenges and pearls of wisdom. The week, however, was marred by the unfortunate comments made by our Honourable Chief Minister and Leader of Government business during the sitting of the House of Assembly that same week. My purpose is not to re-hash this episode, but simply to say that the sentiments of the Chief Minister do not reflect the high esteem in which our Anguillian society holds women. Women have always been the cornerstone of our society. Traditionally, they have been the nurturers who build strong families, the village leaders and caretakers, the bread winners in their own right and even revolutionaries. In our society, women have stood beside men as equal partners, behind them as supporters and in front of them as protectors.
In Appendix A of Anguilla’s Battle for Freedom 1967 – 1969, which I co-authored with my dear friend, Colville Petty, the following is written about women in the Revolution:
“The success of the Revolution was due in significant measure to the part played by Anguillian women. As regards the psychological aspect of the struggle, it was the women who kept the revolutionary spirit alive. For example, they ensured that the Revolutionary Song, We are out to build a new Anguilla, was sung at every public meeting or protest march. And they were the flag bearers: always carrying the ‘three dolphins flag’, the rallying symbol of the Revolution.
“Their participation expanded – took on a new dimension – when, early in the struggle, the freedom fighters fled to the bushes to avoid being captured by the St Kitts policemen. The women ensured that they were fed – carried food and drink to their hiding places. Then, following the expulsion of the St Kitts policemen, on 30th May 1967, they spent many nights at the beaches, alongside the men, keeping watch to ensure that there were no landings of military personnel from St Kitts. This they did at much personal sacrifice because often times, while they kept watch, their children were at home alone and unattended.
“The women were also very active and vocal in the many protests that followed the British invasion of the island on 19th March 1969. They considered it an unjustified occupation and were therefore in the forefront of resistance against it. It was the women who, in defiance of orders from the British forces, sat and slept in front of the Administration Building and denied them access. Similarly, it was the women who, after pushing the soldiers aside, stormed the Court House and prevented Anguilla’s leaders from meeting with British officials. One of the women, Idalia Gumbs, opined:
When the history of Anguilla is truly written it would have to be said that whatever Anguilla achieved, was achieved because of the women. When the island was invaded the men did not face the guns. The women did.
“Indeed, the role of women in the Anguilla Revolution was critical to its successful conclusion”.
While we sought in our book to ensure that the contribution of women in the Anguilla Revolution was duly recognised, I believe the end result would have been different if the story was told through the eyes of women. This is perhaps an idea for a new book, either by us or by any other author willing to take up the challenge. A book about the Anguilla Revolution through the eyes of the women of the Revolution that details their experiences, challenges, fears and triumphs, is bound to give us a new and different perspective of this period in our history. This will ensure that women’s role in creating that history and shaping a better future for Anguilla will be fully appreciated, acknowledged and documented.
