By Gabriel J. Christian, Pont Casse Press
“She is listed by Guida-Myrl Jackson-Laufer in her book, Women Rulers Throughout the Ages among the likes of Catherine of Aragon, Golda Meir, Elizabeth the First and Margaret Thatcher. Charles Gulatta’s 1999 book, Extraordinary Women in Politics, locates Charles among a veritable pantheon of historical leaders such as Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt; Mary, Queen of Scotts; Isabella, the first queen of a unified Spain and Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia.”
The above quote is from Judge Irving Andre in his introduction to a new biography of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles’ written by Gabriel Christian. Christian a Dominican born author, community leader and Washington, D.C. based attorney, has taken the veil off of the life of one of the most remarkable political leaders in recent history: Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, former Prime Minister of Dominica; often called the Iron Lady of the Caribbean. Mamo! The Life & Times of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, published by Pont Casse Press on April 5, 2010 is yet another work by that publishing house, which in the past has spotlighted Dominican history and the lives of famous Dominicans such as Premier Edward Oliver LeBlanc, Prime Minister Rosie Douglas, RBD Douglas and Chief Minister Frank Baron.
The first biography of Dame Charles published since her death in 2005; the work is led off by an introduction and prologue which provide a critical examination of the backdrop to the life of Dame Charles. It is also unique in that it is told in the Question and Answer format which allows Dame Charles to speak to us, in her own words. Illustrated with rare period photographs, the grand dame of Dominican and Caribbean politics speaks for posterity in revealing her life story.
Born on May 15, 1919 to John Baptiste “JB” Charles and his wife Josephine, the book vividly recounts her family’s rise to prominence by dint of thrift, hard, work, a steadfast focus on education; alongside innovations in enterprise and industry. Hitherto unknown revelations are made about the role of JB Charles and his relationships with Booker T. Washington, Dr. George Washington Carver – the man who invented peanut butter and other agricultural processes which advanced US agriculture and Marcus Garvey whose visit to Dominica, he coordinated.
We learn of Dame Charles early childhood, her brothers Lawrence and Rennie who both became physicians and her only sister Janice who became a nun. We learn of her father’s pioneering role in the House of Assembly; his quest along Cecile Rawle, and JR Ralph Casimir for the right to vote for Dominicans and West Indian federation; and we relive, the challenging moments during her opposition leader years. Intimate details of the 1981 coup attempt and the Grenada invasion are revealed for the first time.
In conclusion, Dame Charles reflects on governance, her role as Dominica, and the Caribbean’s, first female Prime Minister, from 1980-1995, who – with integrity, determination and robust effort – sought a better life for her people.
The book launching for Mamo!, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Center and the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences will take place at the UWI Center, Elmshall, at 5:00 P.M. on May 15, 2010. The public is welcomed. Copies of the book for yourself, friends or family members, please go to www.amazon.com to order online.
Time I agree with you. There is absolutely no comparison between Eugenia and Skerrit. Aligning Skerritism with Eugenia’s principle is total blasphemy. 10 years of a Labor Party government (7 years of Skerrit Leadership ) D/cans can’t claim a darn thing. Eugenia’s accomplishments after 5 years was not only in infrastructural development (note that Eugenia took the wheels months after Hurricane David) . She also empowered the people. She developed and promoted self sufficiency as opposed to a ‘ Red Clinic Dependent” people”. Most notably Eugenia did not support nor entertain corruption. There is no doubt that Skerrit and his administration is corrupt. The DLP supporters know that and one does not have to be a scholar to recognize the … people in government. In fact all it takes is a little bit of honesty- we just need to ask ourselves simple questions. Human beings are sometimes afraid of the truth particularly when the truth does not support what we want to believe.
WHILE I AM CERTAINLY AGREE TO GIVE JACK IT JACKET ALL POLITIANS ARE FOR WHO THEY FOR WHILE SOME CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT MAMO DID WELL FOR DOMINICA SOME STILL THINKS THAT MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE SO EVERYBODY HAS THEIR SHOT COMINGS THATS WHY UP TO TODAY I HATE WALKING BECAUSE THOSE WHO WAS IN POWER COULD HAVE GIVEN THE DISTRICT MORE SCHOOLS TO HELP THE CHILDREN FROM CROSSING A RIVER EVERY DAY.BUT TO BE HONEST I MISS MAMO I WONDER IF SHE WAS ALIVE AND STILL IN POWER IF WE WOULD HAVE SO MUCH HAITIAN AND SPANISH IN DOMINICA PLAGUEING THE COUNTRY SKERRIT IS TRYING HIS BEST BUT HE NEEDS TO DO LIKE KING SOLOMON GO TO GOD FOR WISDOM OR ELSE OUR COUNTRY WILL HIT ROCK BOTTOM LIKE HAITI
looking forward to getting a copy nice way to remember a strong and well known caribbean woman.
Good job. Even a true laborite like gabro can admit and praise mamo
Thats wonderful. Our Iron lady, she really put us on the map and made Dominica proud. “Observer” probably Gabriel did not agree with her political stance but that does not mean that he can’t recognize the greatness and the integrity of her personality. One has to be able to rise beyond petty politics and give people the credit they deserve and I think this is what Gabriel has done with this book.
I still maintain that the best tribute to a leader during his or her death was this calypso by the Mighty Spider in 1980 ” Viva Mama Eugenia” when he said :
“There is no other leader, don’t want no other leader for Dominica than Eugenia, everywhere.. Viva Mama Eugenia”
Great my Mr. christian.
Observer, It is a shame that you can even attempt to draw a comparism between Dame Eugenia and that other person (I won’t ever distinguish him by even writing his name)?
I mean come on, am I blind, deff and dumb at the same time or is it that you and others like you just can’t be rational? Lennox will NEVER compromise the truth to sell a few books or for any other poloitical expediency…Lennox is in a total different class my friend.
What will it take ‘again’ for you to observe that this man has issues; serious issues?
I mean, come on!
You all make me feel like there is no hope, but the truth is I know that there is hope…
There is hope…there is a revolution taking place…time
Time, just curious, have you read the book? based on your comments I am assuming you read it, if not your comments hold no merit.
I salute you Gabriel on another remarkable achievement. It is times like this that we as a nation should embrace this opportunity to enlighten ourselves about our history.
We ought to appreciate our very own scholars and take a firm stand in our quest to inform the rest of the world that even when we are faced with challenges as a nation that our very own former leaders have set the trend of nation building and we intend to do just that by refreshing our memory of some of their achievements.
It is gratifying that Gabriel can recognize Dame Mary Eugenia Charles in a remarkable way which can now be use as an invaluable source of information in our schools and homes but ought not to be stored on a bookshelf but to be put to good use.
I want to also take this opportunity to encourage everyone from all walks of life to come to the launching. Our very existence in our history depends on it and the future is only bright for the enlightened!!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER…
Hmmmm!. Gabu is an honest caring Dominican that has been unjustly portrayed by some as Satan in disguise strictly for political gain. No man is perfect, but this one Dominican that know Gabu and will not hesitate to say that he is a Dominican at heart. No and, if or but about this. God bless you Gabu. Like Mamo, one day you will be revered for the person you truly are.
you are so right, can you imagine someone talking about Lenox?
All I know is that while I did not always aggree with Mamo, is that she was extremely honest
and for that kind itegrity we must all be proud!
happy mothers day Mamo! your children in dominica have not forgotten you!!!!
Gabo good move . I’ve read all your books and I’ve enjoyed the contents. I applaud your effort to shed light on the greatness te remarkable life of a woman who has done marvelous things for D/ca and the caribbean. I really wish that our leaders and future leaders could have half the passion and a fraction of the honesty and integrity that Mamo had . The love for her country was immense , a desire to develope the poor and that is the key. While it is true that she was finacially secured ,I have no reason to believe that she would have been anything other than honest and sincere had she not been the daughter of JB charles-well to do. The opposition labeled her as Gwo Jan – Big Shot Woso, But that was just petty politics as this heck of a woman provided assistance to so many poor kids who wanted a high school education. She assisted SO MANY poor PEOPLE and never made it public unlike red clinic I must add..
The many benifits that we enjoy today is because of the hard work of Dame Euginia Charles – the cruis ship visits that we boast off, the greatest era of our banana industry was because of the work of euginia (The entire Wind ward islands can attest to that). During this time we saw a tremendous growth in our economy- Marigot, Wesely, Woodfordhill- the entir northest. It is sad to say that since 1994-95 our beloved country has been plagued by bad leadership- corrupt government, selfish money wealth seeking politicians. Mamo rest in peace we will one day weed out the maggots and leeches from government and install genuine and hardworking Dominicans- Not those who seek an escape route by attaining citizenship status of another country.
While I ask that you rest in peace my heart hurts for my country.
VIVA VIVA VIVA MAMA EUGINIA VIVA FOR DOMINICA
Well done gabou. I am looking forward to securing my copy. You know what! If gabou can bring himslef to speak so endearingly about Miss Charles, i will one day live to see Lennox Linton speak so glowingly about Skerrit. the difference betweenthen and now is that in Gabou’s time we had only DBS Radio and very limited media (still is). today we have a more advanced media with talkshows etc. so lennox is heard more. but Gabou, on the street corners and in community groups launched stinging condemnations of Mamo as Lennox is doing today on the radio and other mass media. never say never.
Good Job, Gabu. Keep it up.