The human rights activist Zenita Nicholson, who was the first to be awarded with an International Woman of Courage Award, has died.
The Police have not yet pronounced on her death. Reports are that Ms Nicholson called a friend just after 2:00 a.m saying she needed to go to the hospital. When the friend arrived, she reportedly said that she had ingested 10 carbon tablets.
Friends close to Ms Nicholson said that she was in an abusive relationship with a foreign medical student and had attempted to get out of the relationship. She had made efforts to report the abuse to Police, but it is unclear if she did, having been turned away from one Police station and told to go to another that had jurisdiction for the area she was living.
The medical student, who accompanied Nicholson and the friend to the hospital, is assisting Police with the investigations.
Nicholson was the Country Coordinator for Caribbean Vulnerable Communities/PANCAP Global Fund.
“This award is about courage and leadership. Zenita Nicholson embodies these principles and exemplifies the traditions of personal freedom and equality that remain shared values between Guyana and the United States,” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt said in presented Ms Nicholson with the Woman of Courage Award in March, 2014.
“Dhe has been an energetic, effective and passionate advocate at both the national and international level for the principal that both women’s rights and the rights of lesbian, gays, bi – sexual and transgender persons are human rights, deserving of equal attention and protection,” Hunte added.
In accepted the award, Nicholson said: “Today I’m being honoured for my courage, but I have no courage; not compared to those who inspire me to advocate for equality, human rights and dignity.”