PNM Women’s League launches magazine

“REFLECTIONS” is the magazine of the PNM Women’s League issued to mark the 50th anniversary of both the league, and the party.

Editor, Jean Elder, said it dealt with the formation and role of the league.

It was recently launched by Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Joan Yuille-Williams, at Port-of-Spain City Hall. In her address, she said the league’s future would only be assured if current members recruit new members, especially young women.

Junior Minister of Community Development, Eulalie James, said the Women’s League is the backbone of the PNM.

Ambassador John Donaldson, who is also PNM’s vice-chairman, related that detractors once used to refer to the Women’s League by a derogatory term which he recalled as being “the brigade,” to which one woman present corrected him by shouting out, “the fat ass brigade!”

Donaldson said one no longer hears that term and that people’s attitudes had changed in recognition of the brain power of the league’s members. Women’s League chairman Magna Williams-Smith predicted that the league would carry the PNM to victory at the polls in the upcoming general election due in 2007.

Councillor Rishi Lakhan said, “If today our democracy is strong, it is because of the contribution and involvement of the Women’s League.”

The launch of the magazine was used to honour longstanding members, some deceased, especially past chairpersons.

The awardees were: Olga Bland, Isabel Teshea TC, Phyllis Mitchell, Muriel Green, Marilyn Gordon, Joan Yuille-Williams, Norma Lewis-Phillips, Magna Williams-Smith, Eldica James, Mary Pitilal, Barbara Davis, Jean Elder, Felicia Charles, Beatrice Julien, Lydia Paul, and Cynthia des Vignes.