Tributes
to Janet Jagan
Tribute to Her Excellency Janet Jagan OE
in the National Assembly
by Ms Indranie Chandarpal
On April 9th, 2009 the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Communications moved a motion in the National Assembly captioned Tribute to Mrs. Janet Jagan, O.E., and Former President of Guyana and member of the National Assembly.
The Motion sought to express the deep sadness and immense loss to Guyana by the passing of Her Excellency Janet Jagan, O.E; as well as to give honourable recognition to the enduring, selfless committed and distinguished service which the late member gave to Guyana and to the National Assembly of the Parliament of Guyana during her extensive, varied and dedicated career in public life as a pioneer in politics and the struggle for independence and women’s rights’ being among one of the first women Members of the Legislature in Guyana, the first female to be made a Deputy Speaker in the world in 1953, one of the longest serving members of the National Assembly, the first female Minister in Guyana, the first female Prime Minister on 17th March, 1997 and the first female President of Guyana on 18th August, 1997.
The motion also sought to record the heartfelt sympathy to her children, grandchildren and relatives.
Members from all four Parties in the house spoke about the sterling contributions Ms Janet Jagan made to the Assembly as well as national life.
All those who spoke referred to some of her endearing qualities such as her discipline, commitment, service to humanity, loyalty to the people of Guyana and the PPP and strength of character.
Ms Indranie Chandarpal, Chief Whip on the Government side of the House and General Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organisation paid tribute to her Excellency Mrs. Janet Jagan who at the time of her death was the President of the Women’s Progressive Organisation.
We print below her presentation in the National Assembly.
The political activities and contributions of Mrs. Janet Jagan and Dr. Cheddi Jagan have been so intertwined that Mrs. Jagan own contributions have often been overshadowed by her very charismatic political icon husband. Such a link needs to be considered in terms of the contributions which they jointly made as well as the numerous dynamic achievements of Mrs. Jagan herself.
Together they dedicated their energies and total commitment to the improvement of the life of the ordinary men and women with great humility and compassion.
Ever since her arrival she was propelled into the activities with her husband as they sought to address the various issues confronting the underprivileged and downtrodden.
We, who have worked closely with her, are well aware of the multiple roles she had played as a trade unionist, a woman activist, a politician, a Member of Parliament, Minister of Government, Deputy Speaker of the legislative Council, Prime Minister and President.
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. One year after her arrival (1944) she took up the cause of women by penning a letter in the Labour Advocate on the question of adult suffrage.
This quotation is used to illustrate her early vision for women rights and to place on record 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 homes.
Early marriages, too many children, and the meagre 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.
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 for the work they must do in the future.”
This vision formed the basis for the emergence of the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation which was formed in 1946 on the 12th July and the three women responsible for the formation were Mrs. Janet Jagan, Ms. Winifred Gaskin and Ms. Frances Van Stafford. The mission was to ensure the political and economic organization of women in order to promote their economic welfare and their political and social emancipation as well as their betterment.
The WPEO set about encouraging women to register as voters for the election in 1947. It was at this election that Mrs. Janet Jagan made her entrance in the political arena. She contested the central Georgetown seat and although she made a great impact, she lost because of the limited franchise.
The WPEO not only encouraged women to vote but also urged women in the charitable organisations to exert pressure on the government to create improvements in social welfare in general and in housing conditions in particular. Within the first three months it attracted approximately 165 members both working and middle class.
We are aware of Enmore and its impact on the lives of the Jagans in 1948 as well as the events that led to the formation of the PPP and the subsequent winning of elections of April 1953 under universal adult suffrage when three women were elected to the House of Assembly. Mrs. Jagan was elected Deputy Speaker of British Guiana’s first House of Assembly.
On May 27th 1953 the WPO was formed by Janet Jagan, Jane Phillips Gay and Mrs. Aukland with the following mission “The WPO stands for a better educated woman who can bring up her children in surroundings of security; it stands for the raising of our living standards and it stands for peace and friendship among the peoples of the world and for the ultimate liberation of or women from colonialism and poverty.”
It would be of interest to note that just 2 days after the formation she left British Guiana to participate in a meeting in Copenhagen Denmark organized by the Women’s International Democratic Federation. At that meeting she made a call for British Guiana to become independent.
“We the colonial peoples under the British domination are obliged to sell at low prices and buy at high prices. Thus wages never cover the cost of living; our women are hoping for a future granting them equal rights and the possibility to develop their talents, as the women of Eastern Europe. We are part of the peace movement since we are aware of the fact that war threatens not only our people but all of civilization. Help us to win freedom for all the oppressed colonial people.”
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 was a pioneer of the movement to improve the conditions of Guyanese women organizing them in their communities and at the national level for equal treatment and full human rights.
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.
Janet Jagan played a special role in the formation of the PAC in 1946 and the many actions which helped to light the torch of the popular movement for political independence.
When the Peoples Progressive Party was formed she was elected as the first General Secretary and was indeed the driving force behind the Party’s dynamic organizational efforts for the rest of her life.
In a letter to her constituency in Essequibo after the suspension of the constitution in 1953 she wrote
“Since the shocking events of early October when the rights of Guianese were so ruthlessly taken away, I have had uppermost in my thoughts the desire to see each and every one of you. However, due to the fact that our leaders Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham had to leave British Guiana to represent our case abroad, and since the unjust action of detaining the five leaders of the Party at Atkinson Field, I have been forced to remain in Georgetown to carry out the many duties involved in my function as Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party.”
It was during this same period she was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour.
Former President Janet Jagan lived a purposeful life filled with many challenges and triumphs. The challenges were numerous starting from the decision she took when she decided to marry Dr. Jagan and to come to the then British Guiana and continuing to the period of her Presidency.
Her feats are chronicled in various documents and the one which illustrates her passion and commitment is the reference by Dr. Jagan in his book the West on Trial when he referred to her role as a Minister of Labour Health and Housing in the period 1957-1961.
“It was under her leadership that malaria was practically wiped out, a mass campaign was launched to wipe out filarial in 1959 and children throughout the country were inoculated with anti-polio vaccine. An anti-typhoid campaign was also launched. New health centres were established in all parts of the country and it was under her guidance that pure water supplies were expanded throughout the countryside.
The logies in the sugar estates were coming down slowly. The Rent Restriction Ordinance that was in place for Georgetown was extended to cover the whole country. It was during this period that the working people saw an improvement in their living conditions. The Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF) was forced to take action to alleviate the housing needs of the sugar workers.
New maternity and child welfare clinics were established in the riverain areas. Housing was expanded in towns and in the country side.
In the field of labour, by means of wages councils and advisory committees, wages and conditions for work were improved for workers in quarries, groceries, hardware stores, dry goods stores, drug stories, rural cinemas and the garment industry. Watchmen and shop clerks enjoyed better hours and working conditions. The Shops Ordinance passed in 1958 restricted the weekly hours of work of shop assistants from 47 to 40 hours.
Annual holidays with pay were prescribed for clerks, domestics and chauffeurs, and for workers in bakeries and in the timber, sawmill, garment, printing and stone crushing industries. Amendments to the Workmen’s Compensation Law gave protection for the first time to domestic servants and increased benefits and protection to all workers.”
We are well aware of the various unions she had participated in and from her actions and writings we know that she was a true friend of the working class and a Champion for the independence of Guiana.
On September 6th 1961 Mrs. Janet Jagan was the delegate of British Guiana at the Inaugural meeting of the Caribbean Council. She declared in her presentation and I quote the following:
“As the delegate from British Guiana it gives me great pleasure to be here at the inauguration of the new Caribbean Organization. For us it comes at a most significant moment. For today, in British Guiana, a new Government is being formed, under the first self-governing constitution in our long history as a Colony.
There is now left for British Guiana only the final step to independent status, which we predict will follow shortly.
Thus, the change-over from the Caribbean Commission to the Caribbean Organisation, with all that it implies, on this day is doubly significant to us and fills our hearts with joy.
The Caribbean Commission has died a timely and honourable death to give life to its offspring, the Caribbean Organization. We welcome the new organisation and are confident that it will be a useful and integral part of our Caribbean Community. To make it a meaningful body is the task before us in the days which follow this impressive inauguration.”
During the 28 years when the PPP was in opposition she spent a considerable time working at the Mirror Newspaper and also ensured the publication of Thunder the theoretical journal of the Party. These publications were dear to her heart.
When the struggle was intensifying against the removal of essential commodities in Guyana, Janet Jagan was in the forefront of the demonstrations and other protests. On international issues, she was always a part of the picketing exercises whether it was for the release of Nelson Mandela or in solidarity with the people of Palestine or Chile.
Her role in the fights for the restoration of democracy was a relentless one, and she used her pen effectively to expose and inform of the infringements as they occurred.
Her position as the First Lady was one of simplicity, humility and decorum. While she was in a position of power she never allowed it to create a barrier from her and other people. That in itself was greatness.
When Dr. Jagan passed away she stood there as a tower of strength and provided comfort to all even though her heart was bleeding.
The election of 1997 was a very testing period for Mrs. Janet Jagan. I recall vividly the campaign, the energy she displayed and the support which she received everywhere she went. However, the violent protests by the opposition made her assumption to office a very difficult one. For me it was a privilege to listen to her reflecting on the early stages of her struggle when she addressed the ceremonial opening of the 7th Parliament and declared:
“Today as I address you as the first woman Head of States, fond memories of the long and hard struggles of our people come to mind. I particularly recall the plight of women in the late forties and the early fifties. I remember the courage of many women who came forward in those dangerous times to join the struggle. A momentous occasion was when in 1953, I was among the first three women ever to be elected to Parliament after we had just completed a vigorous election campaign. For me it was doubly difficult since in contesting the Essequibo constituency, which I won, my gender was a central issue as I had to do battle with two wealthy macho landowners.
Our victory in 1953, and the spirit of oneness and togetherness which accompanied it, was like the end of a long eclipse which had engulfed our nation. That day, May 3, 1953 was a proud moment as the PPP Parliamentarians, with Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham at the lead, marched from the Party’s headquarters to Parliament Buildings for the opening ceremony. We were dressed in white shark skin suits, the men wearing red ties and the women with red shoes, handbags, scarves and hats. Dr Jagan would have preferred a more modest mode of dress, but nevertheless, we were all confident of the future and filled with patriotic fervour to start a process of genuine independence and economic and social progress.
The process began but was soon affected by many difficulties. These did not, however, deter us as a nation and we moved from independence to Republican status. Today, as we look back, we understand that there are many interpretations of our history. But at some point, we as a nation must have a common approach to our history, our difficulties and where we go from here. As a nation we have to constantly move forward. We cannot turn back. We have to live with our history. It is ours and the most we could do at this point is to learn the lessons that that history taught us. Our past should not divide us but give us strength and deepen our commitment to pursue boldly the interest of the nation and people. We must understand our unique cultural experience and realize that our oneness as a nation transcends the sum of its parts.”
Another issue which I would like to refer to is an interview that was done with President Janet Jagan on the 25th January 1998. This interview dealt with issues such as the Herdmanston Accord, Constitutional change, media matter, Parliament government performance and the Rights of the Child. President Jagan in responding to Earl Bousquet on the Accord stated and I quote:
“I want the whole nation to know how dangerous the situation was and that it was due to the responsible attitude of the PPP/Civic government that we were able to make what necessary concessions were required to bring about peace to this land. We are hoping that all Guyanese would understand what happened and would also appreciate our contribution has been one of a responsible government; a government that cares, a government that does not want anything untoward to happen to its people. We want their safety, their future, etc.”
What is important to note is that it was her great sense of character, her dedication and strong organizing ability and commitment which helped her to withstand the assault on her character during her 66 years in Guyana.
She was a morally upright and fearless human being who was never afraid to take a position on any issue even though her views may not coincide with others.
By 1997 she was the longest serving member of the National Assembly and as a debater she argued well and stood her ground on any issue.
She was a great role model for the women of the Party. She was intensely private yet reached out to people at all times. She promoted the highest moral standards and led by example. While she believed in women’s equality she did not encourage mediocrity in women.
Almost all the comrades who worked closely with her will attest to her humanity, her kindness, her thoughtfulness. I am sure all of the women around her – young and old – would have received a piece of jewellery from her, the male comrades some little memento and the children some little present on their special days.
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 to some official for assistance.
She was fiercely independent and always gave a good fight for what she believed in; we have seen her on so many occasions standing firm and holding her own.
Unfortunately, she was vilified by some who cannot even begin to understand the contributions she has made to this country which became her real home. She never wanted sympathy or thanks since whatever she was doing – she was doing so by her own accord and for what she believed in.
As General Secretary of the party from 1953 -1970 she managed that office, helped the WPO, wrote for Mirror, represented the Party at special forums, 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”.
Janet Jagan was the comrade many had gone to in times of doubt and uncertainty. She was always willing and was never afraid to give advice.
As we pay tribute to her we do so knowing that she would have preferred all of us to remember her living. The Cheddi Jagan Annual lecture at the Cheddi Jagan Research centre on March 17 was the last public event at which she spoke. Some of us remarked about the strength of her voice and opined that the way she was looking and talking she would be active for many years more. Unfortunately, she passed away just a few days later ending an era of supreme service by a remarkable husband and wife team.
Cheddi and Janet Jagan came into the political landscape at a critical historical period and having completed the most difficult tasks passed on. It is now left to us to build on the legacy they have left us.
We must all be proud of this daughter, this mother, this friend and comrade who lived a life of service to humanity and the liberation of man and womankind.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I join in asking this august Assembly to support this motion in recognition of the magnificent life and contributions of our Former President and Member of Parliament Comrade Janet Jagan.