GISELLE SALANDY

WORLD RECORD HOLDER - FIRST BOXER TO WIN THE MOST BELTS IN ONE FIGHT

Giselle Salandy was born in Siparia on Jan 25, 1987. Giselle began boxing at age 11 when pro boxer Kim Quashie saw her working out in Fitzroy Richards gym in south Trinidad. According to Quashie “ I knew Giselle had something special in her when I saw her working the punching bag while nursing a broken arm.”

Giselle Salandy made her professional boxing debut at age 13. Some of her major achievements following the receipt of her pro licence in Jan 2004 are as follows:

Jun 15 2006 – Salandy knocked out Manela Daniels in the third round of a scheduled six rounder, dropping Daniels to 0-2.

Sept 15 2006 – Salandy won the WBA and WBC Women’s Junior Middleweight titles when she defeated American Elizabeth Mooney.

Dec 9 2006 – Salandy made still more boxing history when she won Five Junior Middleweight world title belts – WBA, WBC, NABC, WBE and IWBE defeating Miriam Brakache of the USA.

Mar 24 2007 – Salandy won a ten-round unanimous decision over Yvonne Reis of Florida defending her five junior middleweight titles.

Dec 26 2008 – Salandy won a 10-round unanimous decision over Yahaira Hernandez of the Dominican Republic defending the WIBA, WBC and WBA titles.

Salandy hoped to use her boxing fame to do her part in the fight against Youth Crime in Trinidad. “There are so many children in T & T that live without the basic amenities and I want to give back to society for all the success that I have received in my professional career” she said.

Tragically, Giselle Salandy died following a vehicular accident on Jan 4,2009. “Some bright lights burn only briefly, but their brilliance is long remembered. Giselle was one of them.”
May her soul rest in peace.

KAMLA PERSAD BISSESSAR

FIRST WOMAN TO ACT AS PRIME MINISTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Kamla Persad- Bissessar, an Attorney-At-Law, is currently the Member of Parliament for Siparia, a position she has held for the past twelve years after having won the seat in four consecutive general elections, with one of the highest number of votes on each occasion.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons.), a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of the West Indies and a Diploma in Education and pursued studies in the Master of Education. She has been a high school teacher, both in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, and at age 25, she became one of the youngest university lecturers at UWI, Mona Campus.

Spurred on by a love for the world of academia, Persad-Bissessar later pursued a career in law and was named the top student at her graduation from the Hugh Wooding Law School, winning prizes for the Most Outstanding Student and the Best Overall Performance.

In her political career, Persad-Bissessar has a number of firsts. She was the first woman to act as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She was also the first woman to be appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. She is the first woman deputy political leader of the UNC and the first woman Leader of the Opposition.

During her two-year occupation of the office of the Minister of Education, Persad-Bissessar was successful in establishing Universal Secondary Education, removing the dreaded Common Entrance Examination, replacing it with the more modern Secondary Entrance Assessment SEA, and establishing some 32 new secondary schools in the country, among other major achievements.

Her life goal and mission today still remains working towards building a more just and equitable society for all persons in Trinidad and Tobago.

HAZEL BROWN

FIGHTER FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Hazel Brown has spent most of her adult life as a consumer and women’s affairs advocate because of her strong belief that citizens should speak-up on decisions, which affect their lives. She is also motivated by the conviction that democracy is strengthened in a society where citizens participate actively in the decision-making process. An outspoken advocate of women’s rights, Ms. Brown was a founding member of the Network of NGO’s of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, a comprehensive national umbrella organization formed in 1985 to present the position of women in Trinidad and Tobago at the End of Decade Conference in Nairobi. The Network is an advocate and support for women’s organisations in Trinidad and Tobago and is part of many regional and international networks of women.

HELEN BHAGWANSINGH

BUSINESSWOMAN DONATES TT$5 MILLION TO DIABETES EDUCATION AND PREVENTION FUND

"Education is a national asset, not a private indulgence, and the burden of the cost must be borne by all. In this regard, each of us has a major role to play—our government, our alumni, commerce and industry, and the community at large," said President Richards. President Richards was speaking at the launch of the Bhagwansingh Hardware Diabetes Education Research and Prevention Trust, at which UWI Pro Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal, Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie, received a cheque for five million dollars from Mrs Helen Bhagwansingh.

Mrs. Helen Bhagwansingh decided that the Bhagwansingh Group must make a contribution to the management of diabetes after a meeting with Professor Paul Teelucksingh, one of several UWI Lecturers to conduct research into the disease. From him, she learnt that nationwide the incidence of diabetes was over twenty per cent. She was particularly touched to learn that the disease was even affecting young children and that if it was not brought under control, the cost in human suffering and lives would be staggering.

This financial donation will go in part to the launch of a primary school programme promoting healthy lifestyles with the intention of creating increased awareness for screening primary school children for obesity by use of simple indicators – waist circumference, height and blood pressure.

The Trust, which will also leverage contributions from donors towards the funding of organisations undertaking projects corresponding to criteria developed by Trustees, will also fund research in the field of chronic non-communicable diseases, specifically the care of diabetes and its associated diseases, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, physical disabilities resulting from diabetes, blindness, stroke and related diseases. The Trust will also fund education in the field of chronic non-communicable diseases at the national level, as well as interventions designed to ensure that prevention is at the heart of the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases.

FAYE ANN LYONS ALVAREZ

FIRST FEMALE SOCA MONARCH IN T & T

Faye-Ann Lyons was born in 1980 in Point Fortin, Trinidad. She began her singing career back in 2000.
Faye-Ann Lyons makes history as she becomes Trinidad and Tobago's first ever female Soca Monarch. Not only did she manage to take the crown away from husband Bunji Garlin (the 2008 defending champion), she is also the biggest winner ever in the history of the event. Lyons goes home with three titles; Play Whe Groovy Monarch, bMobile International Soca Monarch and People’s Choice. Votes were cast by text message by 15,000 viewers at home. Lyons was the favourite of 60 per cent of all who voted.
Lyons now nearly eight months pregnant, honoured the beauty and culture of Trinidad and Tobago with her stage show. Contestants of the 2009 Big and Beautiful pageant modeled on stage during her groovy performance of Heavy T Bumper. She then introduced veteran Calypso and Road March Queen Calypso Rose to the ecstatic audience. In the power category, Faye-Ann was clearly the star of the night, being one of few artistes who were able to provoke a wild response from onlookers.

LAKSHMI PERSAUD

WRITER

Born in 1939 in Pasea Village, Tunapuna. Lakshmi Persaud taught high school in Trinidad (Tunapuna Hindu School, Bishop Anstey Girls' High School, St. Augustine Girls' High School), Barbados (Harrison College and St. Michael Girls' High School), and Guyana (Queen's College) before relocating to England in 1974. In the late-1980s, she began writing short stories, one of which (See Saw Margery Daw) was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation World Service in November 1995. In 2004, a fellowship in Indo-Caribbean Literature was established in her honor at the Centre for Caribbean Studies and Centre for Translation and Comparative Cultural Studies at the University of Warwick, Coventry, England. The following is a listing of Persaud's published books:
1990 - Butterfly in the Wind
1993 - Sastra
2000 - For the Love of My Name
2004 - Raise the Lanterns High

AWARDS:
1986 - Tom Gallon Prize (for the story "The House of Funerals")
1999 - Commonwealth Writer's Prize (for "Aelred's Sin")

GABRIELLE WALCOTT

Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2008

Titles: Miss Trinidad & Tobago World 2008, Miss Caribbean World 2008. Gabrielle Walcott is a beauty queen from Trinidad & Tobago who was the second runner-up at Miss World 2008 Contest. She also won the Miss World Caribbean 2008, Miss Beauty With A Purpose titles at the same contest. She currently resides in Petit Valley, Port-of-Spain. She dreams to become an actress; she has always loved the arts and also has a degree in Visual and Theatre Arts from the University of the West Indies. She has also done her post graduate studies in Acting and Theatre Arts from New York. Gabrielle is currently also one of Trinidad & Tobago's Youth Ambassadors for the United Nations.

CHERYL PERSAD

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT - YEAR 2007

At the age of 12, Cheryl Persad wanted to become a teacher, but for many years she buried that desire deep within. After a 13 year career in banking in her native Trinidad & Tobago, she migrated to Canada.
In 2000, she started tutoring her nephews because their grades were below provincial standards. That same year she initiated a tutoring camp to prepare them for the new school year. By the end of the camp, seventeen children had registered and were prepared to face the challenges of their new grade. The experience re-lit a spark and following the camp, she began tutoring part-time.
In 2002, Cheryl registered Tutoring Dormant Geniuses as a sole proprietorship but lacked the skills to move forward to make it a successful business. The spark though lit, was very dim. Instead, Cheryl invested her time and skills in running an after school program for the Salvation Army. The program started with five children and grew to 30 at the time of her departure.
The challenges of that after school program motivated Cheryl to develop an educational system that would minimize the conflict between parents and their children over homework completion, identify behaviours and habits that were interfering with their ability to operate at grade level and equip parents to participate in their children’s education.
Realizing that she needed support to launch out on her own, she contacted MicroSkills and was accepted into their Women’s Self Employment Training Program. Now, there is no longer a spark but a full blown light! Tutoring Dormant Geniuses is open for business. The business specializes in helping children who have learning and behavioural challenges to improve their level of achievement.

CONTRIBUTIONS BY ANN ALTHEA NEDD

(POET AND MEMBER OF THE POET SOCIETY OF T & T)

Video selection:"I AM WOMAN" by Helen Reddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmExAiCcaPk&feature=related

WOMAN, YOU ARE STRONG

Woman, I am speaking to you as a sister
Don’t you realize that you have endless power?
Why do you behave like a man when you are a woman
In your world there is a great deal of work to be done
WOMAN, YOU ARE STRONG

From time immemorial men always seemed to have power
But in your own domain you are the shadow director
Also care-giver, accountant and cleaner
You are economist, administrator and much more
WOMAN, YOU ARE STRONG

From babies to adults your children you nurture
And even when the cupboard is bare
Magically you make the pennies become more
And so the needs of your family you render
WOMAN, YOU ARE STRONG

Woman, your strength you do not realize
Woman, you are wise so wise
You are like a beacon
Giving light, hope and direction
WOMAN, YOU ARE STRONG

© Ann Althea Nedd
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


CHERISH THAT WOMAN

MAN,
You need to respect your wife
You need to put her on a pedestal
Even though she has changed over the years
Show her that you care
You need to cherish that woman
Give her love.

CHILDREN,
You may not always agree with your mother
But show some kindness and respect for her
Time and time again after needless pain
You will see that she was right
You need to cherish that woman
Give her love

SISTERS,
You must support the bond of friendship
Show each other love and respect
When one sister has a problem
Others must provide support and allow for venting
You need to cherish that woman
Give her love

WOMAN,You need to respect your husband and
children
Show some support for your sister-friends
Do not give in to immorality
Show some respect for yourself
You need to cherish that woman
Give her love

© Ann Althea Nedd

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________


CRIES TO THE SISTERS

Sisters, there is a huge crisis
Our children are falling into a deep abyss
Do not let them be X’d out
Before we begin to wail and shout

Sisters, we are the caregivers and nurturers
Yet many of our children are becoming gangsters
What are we doing wrong?
We need to turn things around

Sisters, as we commemorate this day
Let us all kneel and pray
Let us ask God to bless our land
And take care of our nation’s children

© Ann Althea Nedd

CONTRIBUTION BY SHELDON MANOO (POET)

WARMTH, WELCOMING SOULS OF PASSION
OMNI-PRESSENCE AND DILIGENT SATISFACTION
MOTHERHOOD AND SOCIETY’S SPINE
ENLIGHTMENT, UPLIFTMENT, PEACE OF MIND
NURTURING NAVELS, NATURE’S NESTLING
OBJECTIVE OBSERVER CONCIOUSLY SUGGESTING
FRIEND, THE GENTLE PERSUASIVE WING STANDER
TEACHER, LOVER, MENTALITY EMOTIONAL DESIGNER
NEW WORLD ACHIEVEMENT, NOT UNDER BIAS PERCEPTION
TO BE LED BY WOMEN ABLY ASSISTED BY MEN

Copyright © by Sheldon Manoo

CONTRIBUTION BY ZAID ALI HOSEIN

(POET AND MEMBER OF THE POET SOCIETY OF T & T)

A RHAPSODY FOR WOMEN

Harlequin roses, of sheer ecstasy.
A heavenly bouquet,celestial indeed.
Mothers and lovers,
They grow up to be.
The best of all treasures,
To have and to keep.
The ultimate source, of idyllic peace.
Inherently endowed, by divine decree.

Copyright © by Zaid Ali Hosein

CONTRIBUTIONS BY KERRY DE GANNES

(POET & MEMBER OF THE POET SOCIETY OF T & T)

THE DISTINCTIVE WOMAN

I am full of passion so unique
With a lovely voice when I speak
I am very sensitive and gentle to touch
I get lots of compliments, from the eyes that watch
I cry very easily sometimes to silly things
Yet I am proud of my achievements, that is why I sing
I put great effort into anything I commit
And will always be above the level to be called a hypocrite

I dress in a manner to show full respect
So I would not be disrespected
I am a model for all the “wanna-be’s”
I strive to be neat and impressive
I am not a loud person except maybe with my friends
Rowdiness is out the picture so that no one I would offend

I am also good at making sacrifices
May be wrong in few instances,
But never made the same mistake twice.
I am very caring mainly to myself also my own
I may treat others a little different;
remember I am still flesh and bones.
I am a mother to my kids and to friends I will provide
Setting a great example of showing love, from deep inside.
Chapters of glory signify me day to day
I am a fighter and I am here to stay.

Copyright © Feb 26, 2008 by Kerry De Gannes

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