Presentation by Ms Indranie Chandarpal- General Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organization
Venue: Freedom House
Time: Monday 30th March
Occasion: Tribute to Cde late Janet Jagan
“Man’s dearest possession is life,” It is given to him but once, and he must live it so as to feel no torturing regrets for wasted years, never know the burning shame of a mean and petty past; so live that, dying, he might say: all my life, all my strength were given to the finest cause in all the world – the fight for the Liberation of Mankind.” so said Nikolai Ostrovsky in his famous book “How the Steel was tempered”
These words aptly describe the contributions made by Cde Janet since her arrival in Guyana. She and her life partner and comrade in struggle Cde Cheddi together dedicated their energies and total commitment to the improvement of the life of the ordinary men and women with great humility and compassion.
As we pay homage to this noble human being we do so knowing that no other woman before her had championed the cause of women as she had done. About a year after her arrival in October 1944 she took up the cause of women by penning a letter in the Labour Advocate on the question of adult suffrage.
I need to use this quote in a major way to illustrate her vision for women rights and to place on record once again her leadership role in giving purpose to women’s equality.
“The very vital question of adult suffrage, today while being of extreme importance to the male population of British Guiana is of equal significance to all women of the country.
The existing law does not qualify many women to vote, since very few could possibly meet the property qualifications. The present struggle for adult suffrage is also, one might say, a struggle for the women to vote, although, a women suffrage amendment was given effect we are well aware, did not enfranchise more than a handful women up to several years ago.
The majority of women in this country still occupy a relatively minor place in society. Their function is still one that does not reach very far outside the confines of the home.
Early marriages, too many children, and the meager education hinder many who have abilities equal to men. Women are not encouraged enough to become more educated and take part in political meetings and organizations as are the men.
We must remember that the women should have as vital an interest in the economic and political problem of the country as the other sex. There is no reason why they should not take part in the political framework of Government. But, they need encouragement! They must be urged to attend meetings- to participate – to contribute ideas to read – to learn.
With the enfranchisement of the people of British Guiana, the women will be in a more favorable position to take active part in public affairs.
The women of this country must fight hand in hand with the men for rights and reforms that are needed. The women must try to educate themselves and do their best to educate their daughters as equally as they educate their sons. The women of British Guiana must prepare themselves and their daughters’ the work they must do in the future." How prophetic!
This vision formed the basis for the emergence of the Women’s Political & Economic Organization which was formed in 1946 and the Women’s Progressive Organization formed in 1953.
What is remarkable is that the work of the WPO which she was the founder member and President of never swerved from that vision.
She lived to see that vision becoming a reality where she herself had attained the highest office of the land; where girls were excelling in all areas of life and where free and fair elections became a reality.
Cde Janet lived a purposeful life filled with many challenges and triumphs. She was a great role model for the women of the Party. She was intensely private yet having the ability to speak at a moment notice. She believes in the highest moral standards and led by example. While she believed in women’s equality she did not encourage mediocrity in women.
I had the good fortune to work closely with her for nearly 4 decades and there was a period when I had the greatest opportunity to be molded by her.
Almost all the comrades who worked closely with her will attest to her humanity, her kindness, her thoughtfulness. I am sure all of us girls then and now would have received a piece of jewelry from her a memento for the male comrades, the rent money for sum, presents for the children.
Members of the public who came to see her weekly would have laid their stories to her and would have received assistance from her or would have been sent for assistance.
She was fiercely independent and will always give a good fight for what she believed in; we have seen her on so many occasions standing firm and holding her own.
She was General Secretary of the Party for 20 years during which time she managed that office, helped the WPO, wrote for Mirror, and traveled on behalf of the Party visited groups and managed her home and family. When asked about her ability to perform such diverse tasks on a daily basis she would always respond that you have to know how to manage time and for women they need to know how to balance family life with public and professional life.
JJ was the person who I would have gone to when I needed advised on issues relating to the WPO. She would have been the comrade many would have gone to in times of doubt and uncertainty.
As we pay tribute to her we do so knowing that she would have preferred all of us to remember her living. The event at Cheddi Jagan Research Centre was the last public event and some of us remarked about the strength of her voice and opined that the way she was looking and talking she would very much live into the nineties.
JJ would not want us to mourn her, in her typical style she would want us to work to uphold the principles of the PPP and carry on the work of the Party with commitment, integrity and honesty.
The pair that championed the noble cause of service and liberation of their people have now passed on a new chapter will begin and it is for us who are the cadres of the PPP to decide on the course of action for a PPP without a Jagan for the very first time.
They came into the political landscape at a historical period and they have left us having completed the most difficult tasks and it is now left to promote that legacy they have left the Party.
Cde Janet knew for some time now that the WPO did what it had to do and that the hundreds of women who are in the leadership are capable and worthy to uphold the principles and values of the organizations.
We must all be proud of this daughter, this mother, the friend and comrade who lived her life a life of service to humanity and the liberation of man and womankind.
Tributes to Janet Jagan