Caption: United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz

Summary

• Praise for Democratic Stance: US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz commended PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the AmCham T&T Women’s Leadership Conference for bravely speaking out against regional dictatorships, calling her a ‘voice for the voiceless.’
• Celebrating T&T’s Female Leaders: The US envoy applauded Trinidad and Tobago’s strong history of placing women in its highest offices, including the roles of prime minister, president, and opposition leader.
• A Call for Global Solidarity: Marking the 250th anniversary of US independence, Neidhart de Ortiz reflected on her human rights work and introduced the ‘#Give to Gain’ concept, urging citizens of free nations to support those fighting for basic civil rights worldwide.

 

By Prior Beharry

UNITED States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz praises Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her courageous words standing up against undemocratic governments.

She was speaking at the at the AmCham T&T Women’s Leadership Conference 2026 on Friday at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.

Neidhart de Ortiz  commended Persad-Bissessar for her stance against the “tyrannies of the Maduros and the Castros of this hemisphere.

Neidhart de Ortiz thanked Persad-Bissessar for being a voice for the voiceless. “Thank you… for speaking for those who don’t have a right to speak,” she said.

She also applauded Trinidad and Tobago for its robust history of female representation in its highest offices, including the prime minister, president, and opposition leader.

The Chargé d’Affaires also reflected on her 22-year diplomatic career, which included negotiating the release of 11 political prisoners and facing harassment while advocating for human rights. Drawing a line from the US Title IX legislation in 1972—which expanded high school girls’ sports participation from 300,000 to 3.4 million today.

With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence this year (1776–2026), Neidhart de Ortiz introduced the concept of “#Give to Gain,” a responsibility for citizens of free nations to support those still fighting for basic civil rights.

“As women in leadership blessed to be in free and open countries, we renew our commitment to championing the rights and leadership of women everywhere,” she said.