The Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit (IGDS:NBU), of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus celebrates the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day by honoring women across the English speaking Caribbean who have contributed to the development of calypso, chutney, zouk and soca artforms.
This day presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of women in the traditionally male dominated calypso arena.
These female artistes span a period of over thirty years, an era in our musical history which represents the development and rise of a cadre of women who went on to make their mark on the international stage and contributed to the popularity and changing face of Caribbean music.
The Awardee list, which also includes support singers and posthumous tributes, is as follows:
*Antigua/Barbuda – Claudette “CP” Peters & Queen Ivena (Lena Philip);
*Barbados – Alison Hinds, Natahlee (Natalie Burke), TC (Terrencia Coward), Rita Forrester Support singers – Eleanor Rice & Indra Rudder, Posthumous – Annice Carew &Tassa (Carolyn Forde)
*Dominica – Ophelia
*Grenada – Akima Paul
*St. Lucia – Lady Leen (Frances Marileen Baptiste), Lorna Lubrun, Nicole David, Posthumous – Jannie
*St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Joy-C (Bridgette Creese), Pat Ragguette, Princess Monique (Monique Hector), Shaunelle McKenzie
*Trinidad & Tobago – Singing Sandra, Singing Francine, Calypso Rose, Drupatee, Ella Andall, Denyse Plummer, Denise Belfon, Fay Ann Lyons, Destra Garcia, United Sisters Support singers – Glenda Ifill & Charmaine Yeates Posthumous – Onika Bostic and Lovely
*Guyana – Posthumous – Lady Guymine (Monica Chopperfield)
The official award presentation will take place on October 29, 2011. The theme is Kaiso Trailblazers: Celebrating our Women.
The IGDS:NBU has, since its formation in 1993, achieved important milestones in Gender and Development and in so doing has created visibility for issues of gender and women’s studies as well as programmes and courses, solidly integrated both academically and structurally into the overall academic programmes of the University of the West Indies.
The IGDS:NBU continues to play its part in developing programmes which create linkages between the academic mandate of the University of the West Indies and the Caribbean Community which it serves. To this end the Institute provides and continues to provide a forum for the discussion and sharing of information on all aspects of gender in the Caribbean Society including gender as it relates to culture.
Congratulations to Lena Philip (Queen Ivena)! Congrats also to: Claudette Peters, and all of the other female honorees, and support singers from across the Caribbean.
One singer from Antigua that should be on that list is Singing Althea.
Really happy to hear this… about time too, as women artistes in the Caribbean have made a significant impact on Caribbean musical forms such as soca, calypso and zouk
Congrats to Ophelia. Michelle Henderson should have made this list too!
Hooray to Ophelia! Congrats
Big up Ophelia…borjay..so me alone that commenting???