By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Frigate Bay, St. Kitts)—At its 76th Annual National Conference held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Sunday, May 18, 2008, the St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party honoured eight women, one from each constituency, for their exemplary contribution to The Party. The honoraries are Anita Baptiste, Marilyn Liburd, Nora Stapleton, Pearline Green, Althea Charles, Londrina James, Elrona Williams and Gloria Govia.
According to the Labour Party, they did ordinary things extraordinarily in support of their communities, country and party.
In Constituency number one, Anita Baptiste was honoured. She is the mother of eight children and seven grandchildren. She is a member of the Wesley Methodist Church and very involved with the Labour Party. She attends Branch Meetings and Party Conferences and assists with the carrying of voters on Election Day. Her passion for the Labour Party was strengthened when she desperately needed a home to shelter her family. The Labour Government realized her need and came to her assistance and provided her with an affordable home.
In Constituency number two, Marilyn Liburd was the honoree. She migrated to St. Kitts from Nevis, and now resides at Upper Malone Avenue for 34 years. She is the mother of six children. She is an active member of the Zion Moravian Church who loves to clean and cook. She has been employed at the Sir Llewellyn Moore Judiciary Complex for the past ten years. She is always willing to lend a hand and is an ardent supporter of the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party.
In Constituency number three, Nora Stapleton better known as “Miss Finy” was the proud honoree. She was born in Gingerland, Nevis on the 26th January, 1917. She migrated to St.Kitts at the age of 13 and attended the Basseterre Girls High School under the teacher known as Ms. Isa Bradley. She is the mother of seven children, of which four are deceased. She has 26 grandchildren including the media personality “Sugar Bowl” and many great grandchildren in St. Kitts, St. Croix and England. She is a member of the St. George’s Anglican Church and attends Church every Sunday. She worked at the St. Kitts Bottling Company for 25 years and was honoured for perfect attendance before migrating to the Virgin Islands. The Labour Spoken was sold from her home every weekend for a number of years.
Constituency number four honoured Pearline Greene. Ms. Greene hails from Old Road and is the mother of seven children. She works as a vendor at the Tyrell Williams Primary School. She enjoys cooking, gardening and cleaning. Ms. Greene is a long term member of the
St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party.
In Constituency number five, Althea Charles was honoured. She was born in the Parish of St. Ann. She grew up in the Labour Movement and is well versed about the Workers League and remembers Mr. Thomas Manchester, who was one of the forefathers of the Movement. She is a member of the St. Ann Anglican Church and never misses her Church activities. She is the mother of 12 children of which 11 are alive. She attends meetings, Labour Day Marches and Conferences.
Constituency number six honoured Londrina James. Ms. James was born in Saddlers Village. Her support for the Labour Party has never wavered. She raised six children as a single parent. She worked for many years in the sugar industry but now runs a successful shop in Saddlers. She worships at the St. John’s Anglican Church in Bellvue.
Constituency number seven honoured Elrona Williams. She is the beloved mother of two daughters. She is never too busy to lend her support. Ms. Williams is presently employed at the Body Haven Spa. She is someone you can depend on and has followed in her mother’s footstep in giving support to the Labour Party.
In Constituency number eight, Gloria Govia was honoured. She advises mothers and grandmothers to tell the old, old story of Labour and their offspring because it is only when they can connect to the past that they can truly determine the future. She is an ardent Methodist and has seven children.
The Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister and National Party Leader, presented the ladies with their gifts and tokens.
