Young lawyer determined to create a kinder world

The bullying a young lawyer faced while growing up has made her determined to create a kinder world for everyone.

At the High Court in Kingstown, yesterday, December 7, during her first address to the court, newly minted counsel Michaela Miguel opened up in an emotional speech about the adversity she had to face for being born into a politician’s family.

The “Miguel” title is one that is quite familiar in politics in SVG, as Girlyn Miguel was, for several years, parliamentary representative for Marriaqua, a minister of Government under the present Unity Labour Party (ULP) administration and the first woman to hold the position as Deputy Prime Minister of the country.

But unfortunately for Michaela, with her grandmother’s success came “bullying and taunts from peers and adults”.

“…The weight of judgment and ridicule at the time felt like an unrelenting force that eroded my confidence and sense of self-worth and fostered moments of self-doubt and self-harm”.

Miguel said as she reflected on her journey, she recognized that while the bullying has left scars, it has also fuelled her determination to create a world where kindness prevails over cruelty.

“My story is a testament that my God did not fail me, and I know that in this new journey he will not fail me. I eagerly anticipate the challenges that will refine me, the triumphs that will validate my efforts, and the defeats that will serve as lessons in resilience and growth.”

Miguel, a graduate of the St Joseph’s Convent, Kingstown, the SVG Community College, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, and the Hugh Wooding Law School, came to her bar call in a trail of excellence.

On graduating from the SVGCC, she received a national scholarship for exceptional performance in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations(CAPE), and on graduating from the UWI with her bachelor of laws degree, she received first class honours. At the Hugh Wooding Law School, she graduated on the principal’s honour roll and was the top performing Vincentian student.

Miguel’s application to be admitted to practice was first supported by counsel Mandella Peters and seconded by counsel Cheryl Bailey.

In supporting Miguel’s application, her seniors described her as one who has a “firm belief in Almighty God,” and “a proper person to be admitted to the bar.”

She was also said to have strong analytic and communication skills, and shows commitment and good teamwork.

Miguel thanked many persons in her submissions, including counsel Rene Baptiste, Mikhail Charles, Rose-ann Richardson, Director of DPP Sejilla Mc Dowall, the staff of P.R Campbell and Company.

She also thanked her mother who has been her “biggest motivator and greatest cheerleader”; her grandmother, who has been her “constant support and encouragement”; her “dearest and closest friend Shaunelle” and her village at St John’s Roman Catholic Church.

Miguel said that she is reminded of a proverb that states, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and said that she is a product of the village that raised her.

Also present for her call to the Bar were Prime Minister Ralph E Gonsalves, Attorney General Grenville Williams, Director of DPP Sejilla Mc Dowall, counsel Rene Baptiste, Justice Birnie Stephenson, relatives and friends.