Exhibition on pioneering local women

AN exhibition dedicated to pioneering women and their contributions to society opened here on Monday at the National Library.Run daily from 08:30hrs to 17:00hrs, the purpose of the three-day exposition, said to have been inspired by the theme for the Jubilee Celebrations, is essentially to “reflect” on the women’s achievements; “celebrate” them and what they have done; and “inspire” the younger generation to take a leaf out of their collective book.

Among the 60 or so women being featured in the exhibition are the likes of Janet Jagan (1920- 2009), Guyana’s first female Prime Minister and first female President; Viola Burnham (1930- 2003), our first female Vice-President; and Dr. Desrey Fox (1955 – 2009), the first Guyanese woman of indigenous extract to obtain a doctorate degree.

Other women who are not as well known, but whose contributions are just as impressive are Olga Lopes-Seale (1918- 2011), Guyana’s first female radio broadcaster, and creator of Radio Demerara Guyana’s Needy Children’s Fund; and Jean La Rose (1962- present), the first Guyanese winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize (2002).

All are invited to join in the honouring of these phenomenal women.