#BTSpeakingOut- Barbadian heroes

The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Natasha D.S. Morgan (née Green)

In the discussion about what makes someone “worthy” of being conferred with the honour of National Hero, let us be guided, not by emotions, but by the actual criteria set out in law.

The criteria for the conferment of the award of National Hero of Barbados is set out in the Order of National Heroes Act, Chapter 399 of the Laws of Barbados.

The power to confer such an honour is vested in the President (and prior to November 30, 2021, the Governor-General) who exercises it on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Importantly, the honour may be conferred posthumously or during the lifetime of the recipient. Illustrative of the latter category are The Rt. Excellent

Sir Garfield Sobers and The Rt. Excellent Sir Frank Walcott. Both were conferred with this honour during their lifetimes. Up until November 30th, 2021, The Rt. Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers was our only remaining living National Hero.

To be eligible for appointment, a person must either have been born in Barbados; have been a citizen of Barbados, or entitled to be a citizen of

Barbados at the time of death AND satisfy the criteria set out in the Schedule to the Act. It is important to note that there is no age requirement.
In determining eligibility, three separate and distinct criteria are enumerated. Namely, whether the person: 1) has given outstanding service to

Barbados and whose contribution has altered the course of the history of Barbados; OR 2) has given service to Barbados, which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement, and the attainment of the highest excellence, which has redounded to the honour of Barbados; OR 3) has, through heroic exploits and sacrifice, contributed to the improvement of the economic and social conditions of Barbados and Barbadians generally.

The Rt. Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty, National Heroine of Barbados, is unquestionably, the embodiment of “visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement and the attainment of the highest excellence which has redounded to the honour of Barbados”.

A woman from humble beginnings in this country has risen to the pinnacle of fashion, beauty, music, and business, building a billion-dollar global business empire, while disrupting and transforming notions of beauty and inclusivity. These achievements have been buttressed by her visionary and pioneering leadership, which has exemplified excellence, resonated around the world, and “redounded to the honour of Barbados”.

Additionally, our new National Heroine is recognized globally as a philanthropist par excellence. From her nascent days as an international recording artist, Rihanna has centred philanthropy as a critical component of her platform.

Initially, through the Believe Foundation, which provided educational, financial, social, and medical support to children globally, in 2012, she then established the Clara Lionel Foundation, named after her maternal grandparents.

Through the Clara Lionel Foundation, Rihanna is using her platform to make a difference not only at home but around the world. Current programs include primary and secondary education programs in Barbados, Malawi, and Senegal; emergency response and climate resilience programs in the Caribbean and across the globe; and the Clara Lionel Foundation Global Scholarship Program.

In Barbados, through her Foundation, Rihanna established the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She has given assistance to domestic violence survivors; raised millions to benefit women and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS; and through grants, supported efforts to advance racial equity, with a focus on criminal justice and policing reform.

Collaboratively, with partners, she has also supported COVID-19 response efforts in over 30 countries.
The Clara Lionel Foundation has, since its founding, supported over 150 projects and programs around the globe.

In 2017, our newest National Heroine was awarded the Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award for her philanthropic contributions globally.
Indubitably, the circumstances that led to the exploits and achievements of our 19th and 20th century heroes are not the same today. The nature of the exploits and achievements that may be deemed visionary and pioneering will be forged in a different milieu in this, the 21st century, and beyond.

The slave trade has been abolished. Emancipation was advocated and fought for and declared. Every Barbadian, on reaching the age of maturity, has the right to vote, unencumbered by restrictions based on their sex or land ownership.

Unions have been formed, are legal, and have fought for and achieved rights for workers. Religious freedom is protected in our constitution.
Does the fact that these civil and moral rights have been secured mean that the exploits and achievements of this century’s, and indeed, future centuries’ disruptors, trailblazers, and world-changers are of less significance? Are they less worthy of being recognised and heralded? Quite clearly, this is not the case. Both the text of the Order of National Heroes Act and, moreover, common sense, support this conclusion.

As time evolves, so too must the lens through which we view the dispensation which we inhabit and the exploits and achievements that define it.

Let us recognise and celebrate this amazing woman who has flown our flag high regardless of where she is in the world or what she has achieved.
The Rt. Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty is the embodiment, not only of a National Heroine but also, most aptly exemplifies our National Motto – “Pride and Industry”.