By Sue-Ann Wayow

WOMEN are shattering the glass ceiling in Trinidad and Tobago, instilling pride and inspiring young girls and women across the board.

Acting Principal of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando Nadine Joseph told AZP News recently, the school was proud of the achievements of President Christine Kangaloo and, more recently, soon-to-be Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles-Robinson.

Both Kangaloo and Beckles are past pupils of the school.

Joseph also expressed pride at Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who attended a secondary school further south – Iere High School in Siparia.

Joseph said, “At this school, we feel very proud of the achievements of two of our past students. We feel it is also in line with our core values of our school where our mission statement endorses the fact that we want to produce women who are leaders. Women who have a strong sense of excellence, service and self. We are lifted up by the achievements of our past students.”

With Pennelope Beckles being chosen as Opposition Leader on Wednesday, Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in history has three women at the helm of its leadership.

“As a whole, we have three women leaders in our country at this time and as a school of young women, it is indeed something that we feel would be a strong influence for students who are girls and for women in general,” Joseph said.

 

She is hoping that more focus will be placed on education.

Joseph said, “We continue to say bravo to all of them. They have all demonstrated in their public life that they are fully on board with endorsing education and we can only anticipate that they will continue to fulfill their duties as this was demonstrated by all three of them and is currently being demonstrated.”

She said the women are showing the younger generation that great achievements were possible through hard work, staying the course through life’s challenges, and holding fast to visions and goals.

Joseph said it was a very exciting time.

“We look forward to what they will bring as women to the table,” she said.

The acting Principal also said that men and young men have been supportive of women in leadership, the same that women were supportive of men in leadership positions.

She advised, “Let us all encourage one another and build on the foundations that we have.”