Granny Rose remembered as Venezuelan Embassy pays tribute to women

THE LATE Vincentian early childhood educator, Germaine “Granny” Rose, and an outstanding Venezuelan women’s rights activist, Argelia Laya, were remembered and tribute paid to their contributions at a solidarity event held last week Friday at the Mangoz Restaurant at Villa.

The event was a joint activity organised by the Venezuelan Embassy in conjunction with the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Co-operation, the Solidarity Group and the National Council of Women. It revolved around an evening of poetry and song to commemorate World Poetry Day, International Women’s Day and the Abolition of Slavery in Venezuela (1821).

The tributes were a special feature of the programme with journalist Kafi Rose, granddaughter of “Granny” Rose and Senora Angelina Bermudez de Lorenzo of Venezuela reading the respective tributes. Maxine Browne did an excellent job as Chair of the evening’s activities.

Kafi’s presentation, while outlining “Granny’s heroic contributions to

early childhood education and the welfare of children”, paid particular attention to “Granny’s political and social work including international solidarity”. On this latter subject, Kafi related Granny’s support for women’s rights, the African liberation movements, and the Cuban and Grenadian Revolutions, mentioning the late educator’s support for the positive changes in Venezuela initiated by the late President Hugo Chavez.

Incidentally, the Venezuelan woman honoured, Argelia Laya, was, like Granny Rose, a teacher and a powerful activist for the rights of women. She campaigned for women’s suffrage, co-founded the National Union of Women and became Assistant Secretary of the Venezuelan Teachers Federation. As an Afro-Venezuelan, Argelia Laya was also outspoken in championing equality for black Venezuelans, one of the key platforms of President Chavez.

Kafi also conveyed to Venezuelan Ambassador His Excellency Francisco Perez Santana the gratitude of the Rose family for the respect paid to Granny Rose.