FROM LEFT: Dame Nita’s cousin, Griselda Barrow; President of the Young Women’s Christian Association of Barbados (YWCA), Tamita Griffith; Vice-President of the St Michael School Alumni, Francia Carter; President of Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA), Marilyn Rice-Bowen; Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner; and President of the Barbados Nurses Association, Blondelle Mullin, at the grave of Dame Nita Barrow who would have celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday.
Remembering Dame Nita
Wed, 11/16/2016 - 12:00am
Yesterday, Barbados’ first and only female Governor-General, Dame Nita Barrow, would have celebrated her 100th birthday.
Dame Nita served from June 6th, 1990 until her death on December 19th, 1995.
Her long and distinguished career was remembered during a ceremony held at her resting place in Westbury Cemetery, led by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Barbados (YWCA).
Paying tribute and laying wreaths were representatives of the Government of Barbados, the Barrow Family, St Michael School Alumni, Barbados Nurses Association, and the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA).
Senator Irene Sandiford- Garner described Dame Nita – who was also a registered nurse, humanitarian, and Barbados’ first female Ambassador to the United Nations – as one of the most humble, pleasant women you could ever meet.
Reflecting on Dame Nita’s influence, she recalled meeting a group of female South African parliamentarians in 2010, who spoke highly of the late Governor-General.
“I am meeting people who would have remarked on Dame Nita Barrow having influence on them and laying the ground work for them to enter politics in Arpartheid South Africa at the time, when they were young women… I also learned that the new Head of UN Women from Ethiopia also credited Dame Nita with opening her eyes to what she could do as a young lady in Africa… Her reach has been far and wide.”
Commending the YWCA on its tribute to Dame Nita, Senator Sandiford-Garner, however made a call for more to be done to commemorate this great Barbadian woman.
“I do believe though that we could do more as a nation to remember her and commemorate her legacy because she has made a vast and impressive contribution not only Barbados, but globally,” she expressed.
President of the YWCA, Tamita Griffith took the opportunity to thank Judith Hinds for her idea of honouring Dame Nita, who was also a former World President of the YWCA.
“What an honour it was to have a Barbadian head a world association like the YWCA; a movement that spans over 125 countries with over three million women in service,” she told the gathering.
“She is truly an inspiration and I encourage all young women to look at the history and the legacy of Dame Nita and walk in her footsteps. She used her life - both private and in public service - to empower other women and support the women’s movements throughout the world; particularly in Barbados,” she added.
According to the President of CARIWA, Marilyn Rice-Bowen, the world embraced Dame Nita Barrow. “She navigated the spaces locally, regionally and internationally to make the path for women today a little smoother than it was.
“We will be always grateful for her contribution. As long as life, as long as memories last, her name will always be etched in the minds and the hearts of women in the Caribbean and by extension the women of the world.” (TL)