Penny praises Kamla

Penny praises Kamla

Deputy House Speaker Pennelope Beckles and former trade union head Jennifer Baptiste-Primus yesterday called on all women to unite and support Opposition and UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The two were among several speakers at the International Women’s Day observance held by the Advocates for Safe Parenthood Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE) under the theme “Women in Power” at Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s yesterday. Beckles, who is also the PNM Arima MP, said there is a need to foster unity among women, develop a strategy to maximise woman power and gain the support of men.

She said Persad-Bissessar’s victory is not only a triumph for East Indian women but all women as she can be seen as an example for all young women to emulate.

“I am quite certain she can do the job. My expectations are high for her but we as women, if you want to walk the walk, then you need to give your support,” she said.

Baptiste-Primus, former president of the Public Services Association (PSA), said she saw similarities between herself and Persad-Bissessar as women bold enough to present a challenge in the domain of men. She said she was aware of Persad-Bissessar’s intention of becoming the first woman prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago and advised, “The road ahead will not be easy and she needs the support of all women. It is not easy for women to take up male dominated positions and I wish sister Kamla well.”

http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,116979.html