Grace Walters fires back at detractors

The Unity Labour Party’s endorsed candidate for North Windward, Dr Grace Walters, fired back at detractors who accused her of being absent from the constituency during the eruption of La Soufriere volcano in April, 2021. This was one of the issues which the first-time candidate addressed when she spoke at the ULP’s rally on Sunday, March 30,2025, at Rabacca to mark the party’s 24 years in office.

During a two-week period, April 9-24, 2021, there were 32 explosive eruptions from the volcano, forcing more than 20,000 residents to be evacuated, and resulting in severe losses in livestock, agriculture, and damage to homes.

Responding to opposition criticisms, Walters told the thousands attending the celebration rally at the Chatoyer Recreational Park she was speaking to the other people in the constituency who are seemingly out of touch.

“Grace Walters, at the time, was the hospital administrator. In this role, she coordinated activities for hospital services, activities that will address national emergencies. So … during this volcanic eruption, that’s where she was. She was taking care of helping the staff to get to and from work, taking care of the sick”.

“She was providing guidance for her staff. She was preparing all the hospitals for mass casualties in case there were some; and I think that’s much more than just sitting in an office,” Walters hit back.

Even as her family, friends, and the communities of Fancy, Owia, Sandy Bay, London, Magum, and other communities over the river felt the brunt of the volcano’s fury, an emotional Walters said: “I couldn’t be with them. This was one of the most painful experiences I’ve had working away from home”.

Equally as painful were the words uttered by some, “implying that because I was not there physically, that I was totally absent”.

Walters, who holds various degrees in nursing and hospital administration, spoke of the stubbornness of her father when she called her mother to inquire about their well being.

“Do you know how it felt? Do you know how it felt when you call your mother and hearing your daddy still dey in the land and say he nah move?

“Your sibling … overseas calling you for reassurance, and your friends overseas are also calling for the same thing. You can’t provide. You can’t be with them,” Walters questioned. “How heartless can you be to say that I was just sitting in an office? How dare you? How dare you? They’re trying all sorts of tactics, comrades, including trying to trick you into believing that I don’t care, that I don’t care about you, but you know better than that,” Walters stated.

“Service has always been my life, and will always be my life. I will not let you down. I love you too much for that.”

During his address, political leader of the governing Unity Labour Party and Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves spoke of the midwifery work performed by two outstanding women of the North Windward constituency.

“I want to say something about two women from North Windward … Mother Sarah Baptiste, and Grace Walters.”

He said Baptiste was an ordinary woman who had done extraordinary heroic deeds which is one of the qualifications for being a national hero.

“… she delivered thousands of babies over her lifetime as a midwife, from Fancy right down to below the river into Bay Road.”

The Prime Minister said, “The next woman who delivered the next highest amount of babies is Grace Walters. Grace Walters has her degree in nursing, a master’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in nursing administration and a PhD- a doctorate in nursing in the management of hospitals, hospital management … as she said herself, she’s a woman of service.”