The role of First Lady in post independent Guyana is evolving. Our first First Lady was Mrs. Viola Burnham, the wife of Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham. Her role was political in that she not only held ministerial positions, but also a leading role in the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress, the Women’s Revolutionary Socialist Movement (WRSM). She pioneered and ran several economic projects in the WRSM such as rice farming, clothing (Vanpro) and ceramic (Vanceram) businesses. Hers was also a leading role in substitution of indigenous products such as rice flour and local preserved fruits.
Mrs. Burnham served as Vice President in the Desmond Hoyte government, who ascended to the presidency on the death of Mr. Burnham and was elected after. Hers is the distinction of being the first woman to act President when President Hoyte and Prime Minister Hamilton Green were on duties overseas. She was an early advocate for women and child’s rights and played a major role in influencing laws, policies and programmes of the Burnham and Hoyte administrations to this end.
Our second First Lady Mrs. Joyce Hoyte was the wife of President Hoyte. Hers was not a political but motherly role. While those who did not know President Hoyte, given his deportment, and saw him as a stern person, Mrs. Hoyte helped to soften that image with her pleasant face and quick smile. She was considered a figure anyone can reach out to, very accommodating and receptive to the public. She took the role of giving care and support to the president.
The third First Lady was Mrs. Janet Jagan, the wife of President Cheddie Jagan. Her involvement in politics dates back to the 1940s when she came to Guyana with her husband and plunged straight into the socio-political struggles at the time. She was a co-founder of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the precursor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that she also co-founded and the women’s arm, the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).
In the pre-independent government of Dr. Jagan she held ministerial positions. A fierce advocate for women’s rights, it is to her credit as Minister of Health the law was changed to allow nurses to have a family. Prior to that nurses could not have children and to be pregnant meant they either had to have an abortion or they lost their jobs.
While Mrs. Burnham and Mrs. Jagan as First Ladies remained arguably the political movers and shakers, and Mrs. Hoyte the maternal one, the role has evolved during the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo. The Office of the First Lady of Guyana, akin to the Office of First Lady in the United States, was first established under Ms. Varshnie Singh.
Ms. Singh took up the role of ensuring care for sick children, through her Kids First project, providing healthcare for children, at local and overseas institutions. She was seen as playing an active, nonpartisan role and shone at what she did. She brought a nice soft caring demeanour to the role.
The next First Lady was Mrs. Deolatchmee Ramotar, the wife of President Donald Ramotar. She maintained the Office of First Lady and probably would be the one credited for ensuring its permanency. She is reported to have said gardening is her passion. She followed the example set by the United States First Lady Michelle Obama and chose gardening with school children. Children from schools in Georgetown were invited to participate in growing a garden with her on the lawns of the State House. Hers was mostly a domestic role.
Mrs. Sandra Granger succeeded Mrs. Ramotar in the election of President David Granger. She not only continued the practice of having an Office of the First Lady but added a superfluous title, Her Excellency. The First Lady Office has no formal power and the title “Her Excellency” is generally used for heads of state, heads of government, ambassadors, etc.
Mrs. Granger, outside of partnering with Mrs. Karen Abrams on the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) project, had focused on empowering young girls and women through education and business opportunities. She promoted the need for second chances. As vigorously as she tackled teenage pregnancy as a social problem she simultaneously sought to empower this group. She was known for visiting female prisons and advocating for female inmates to learn wider skills such as masonry and carpentry so that when they return to society they can earn a living.
Mrs. Granger was relatable and in the short space of time, she was able to make a good impact. Those projects that she was engaged in they should be permanent projects worthy of continuing.
The present First Lady is Mrs. Arya Ali. She is the wife of President Irfaan Ali and has adopted the title “Her Excellency the First Lady.” Instead of distancing herself from the superfluous title she has embraced it with lust and equal fervour. Hers to date has been a social role. She has taken up the worthwhile projects of children and the environment. It is too early to assess her success though she shows promise in the areas. The Village Voice wishes her well and hopes that as she plays this role she demonstrates the interest and well-being of all.
