By Michelle Ann Joseph- In the spirit of remembrance of the black men and women who blazed the trail, for us to follow, it is right to honour, show respect and pay homage to their countless contributions to the Guyanese society. It was their strength, tenacity, integrity, perseverance and love of country and fellow men; that continue to inspire and teach new generations.
We will commence this February, Black History Month, highlighting the many contributions of Mrs. Winifred Gaskin. She was born Winifred Thierens on 10 May 1916 in Buxton (British Guiana) to Stanley and Irene Thierens. She won a scholarship at the age of eleven and subsequently attended St. Joseph’s High in Georgetown.
Whilst at that institution, she excelled as well, gaining an award – the middle school scholarship, which led to her continuing her secondary education at the The Bishop’s High School, where she took the Cambridge Senior Certificate Examinations, gaining another scholarship. In spite of her high performances throughout her primary and secondary schools tenures, she chose work over further academic pursuits.
Mrs. Gaskin’s first job did not come easily, she was faced with racial and gender hostility within the then British Guiana Civil Service. She was hired nonetheless on the basis of her academic suitability. Her second job appointment was that of a teacher at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School after which, she returned to a Civil servant post within the District Commissioner’s Office.
In 1939, Winifred married Berkley Gaskin. They later had one son. In those days, women were not allowed to work as civil servants, which led her back to her Alma Mater, St. Joseph’s High School as a teacher once again.
Photo Credit: People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)
In the 1940’s Mrs. Gaskin became actively involved in political developments in British Guiana, then joined the British Guiana Women’s League of Social Services, an organisation whose focal points were – the development of women.
Since journalism was one her main interest, she moved on from teaching to the Bureau of Public Information in 1944, subsequently worked with the Argosy newspaper and served as President to the British Guiana Press Association. Another pertinent piece of her story – In 1946 along with Mrs. Janet Jagan she became president of the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation (WPEO).
As her illustrious career as a Public Servant/ Civil Servant continued and evolved, the organisation she spearheaded (WEPO), addressed issues of inequality, access to social services, the encouragement of women to seek further education and to enter the workforce in those days.
The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was formed in 1946. This organisation was set up just before, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was formed. At this particular time the political climate and landscape were changing in British Guiana.
Winifred was offered a British Council Scholarship with an attachment to the London Times Newspaper the Daily Express in London in 1953 for two years. Whilst in London, she aided and facilitated Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mr. Forbes Burnham, in their quest to suspend the British Constitution in 1953 at the House of Commons.
After her return to British Guiana in 1955, she held the post of sub-editor of the Bookers Newspaper, then deputy editor and editor respectively. Her writing entailed the political developments of the day in British Guiana.
1955, the year in which the PPP split, a new party was formed, the People’s National Congress (PNC), led by the late president Burnham, Winifred chose the PNC.
With her brilliant mind and the drive for national development with a keen interest in women’s issues, Winifred was instrumental in the foundation of the women’s arm of the PNC, the Women’s Auxiliary Movement. The said organisation was renamed in 1976 – Women’s Revolutionary Socialist Movement (WRSM).
This trailblazer and pioneer in her own right, was the first woman to be appointed chairman of the PNC in 1961, the first female appointed minister of government, overseeing education, race relations, youth and community development.
Gaskin’s emphasis as minister focused on curriculum reform, creation of textbooks with Guyanese themes, building of new schools, reorganisation of teaching structure and advocating the need for high school teachers to gain university qualifications.
In attempting to nationalise schools from churches and religious groups, she certainly met with challenges from those organisations. The churches also opposed the removal of religious education from the schools’ curriculum.
Nevertheless, after her ministerial tenure ended, her expertise and experience took her to another dimension, after being appointed to Guyana’s first High Commissioner of the Commonwealth, Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean States, headquartered in Jamaica. The Jamaicans recognized her great service and dedication to her work and contributions to humanity, as a result she was awarded with the Order of Distinction.
Meanwhile, her contributions to her beloved country Guyana did not go unnoticed, she was honoured with the Cacique Crown of Honour in 1974.
Mrs. Winifred Gaskins, after her return to Guyana from Jamaica headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economic desk at the PNC headquarters in 1976. She worked in that capacity until her untimely demise 5th March 1976.
In an era of racial, economic and gender inequality still plaguing our nation, we must pay tribute to those who came before us, laid the foundation on which we stand; their hard work and dedication, selfless acts towards humanity and sacrifices to enhance future generations. For this, We Salute Mrs. Winifred Gaskin! We stand on her shoulders!
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References
. Commonwealth Secretariat. Women in Politics: Voices from the Commonwealth
. Stabroek News, 3 and 10 December 2009
. Thierens Clyde. “Winifred Gaskin : An Early Guyanese Politician, Parts 1 and2.”
