With Government asking Barbadians to make recommendations for National Heroes, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment Marsha Caddle said it is time many more women are counted among the heroes of Barbados.
Caddle told members of the media that there is a need for more female heroes in light of the fact that human rights were not only built on the work of men, but also women.
“I won’t make my recommendations. I have some of my own. But I would leave it up to the people of Barbados to make theirs,” she said.
“I am going to go all the way back to the time of Nanny Grigg. I think that as we open up Golden Square to give Barbadians a home for national consciousness, a place that we can reflect and express our own creativity. I think it is important that we look back and see who were the women of that time that made it possible for us to enjoy the freedom that we have today. And when we look back at the time of the Bussa Rebellion, at the time when slaves were fighting for their freedom, that women were a big part of that,” Caddle added.
She was speaking following the annual remembrance ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony for Barbados’ lone female National Hero Sarah Ann Gill at the James Street Methodist Church, James Street, The City.
The Minister reflected that Sarah Ann Gill opened her home to allow people to practise their religious faith when it was illegal for them to do so. However, Caddle noted that many other women also opened their homes to worshippers, and made resources available to expand the freedom of Barbadians.
She said it is important to look at the historical aspect of Sarah Ann Gill’s work, and the fact that there are still countries across the world where people are fighting for religious freedom and human rights. However, she said that as a small island developing state, Barbados understands that there are inequalities that affect the country because of its size and location.
“This week we have been dealing with some ashfall from La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines and the entire region understands what it is like to have to deal with global inequality,” Caddle said.
Though persecuted, prosecuted and faced with threats of death, Sarah Ann Gill kept Methodism alive, educated the slaves and promoted religious and racial tolerance. Empowered and embodied by her faith, her Christian convictions and her church’s mission, she was never intimidated by threats of physical harm or death.
Captain the Reverend Al Walcott officiated today’s ceremony. (AH)
