Winifred Holder joins her mother in the century club

Winifred Holder has followed in the footsteps of her mother in reaching the milestone of 100 years.

The achievement of Holder, regarded as a mother figure to many in her neighbourhood, a mentor and a pillar of the community, was marked on Saturday as friends, neighbours, relatives and fellow church members gathered at the Vauxhall Methodist Church to celebrate the occasion.

Church member Joseph Hope highlighted the longevity shared by Holder and her mother, while also speaking warmly of Holder’s lifelong service and devotion to the church and wider community.

“Ms Holder is a woman who loves the Lord, enjoys reading her Bible and gives much to the church here. She was the sexton of the church. I remember her for her contributions in all of the fundraising activities of the church. She also kept many children back in the day when parents had to run errands…She comes from a family of long-livers as her mom also met this milestone. I trust Sister Holder that God will continue to bless you and you have more birthdays and live happy, healthy and strong,” he said.

Neighbour and Barbados Labour Party candidate for St James North, Chad Blackman, reflected on his childhood spent under Holder’s watchful gaze.

He called for her life story to be preserved, particularly her school days with Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress.

Also present to pay tribute were incumbent representatives for Christ Church West Central, Adrian Forde, and Christ Church East Central, Ryan Straughan.

For her part, the centenarian attributed her longevity to faith in God, good food, a positive mindset and respect for others.

As is customary, the milestone was marked by the presence of President Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, who described Holder as a “national treasure” and congratulated her on reaching the landmark age.

He agreed on the importance of recording oral histories from the island’s centenarians and hinted that something special was being planned for this group in November.

Winifred Holder has one son and two grandchildren.