The late Bertille Ann Alie (Ma Paten) was born in La Plaine in December 1897 and died at the age of 87 years in June 1984. She was a mid-wife with a compassionate personality who practiced from the late 1930s to 1972. She learned the profession from her mother who served the community before her.
After Ma Paten’s husband died in 1952, she devoted her life to the practice of midwifery in La Plaine and the rural East. Her son, Haynes Alie said, ‘Ma always responded to a call to assist a woman in labour regardless of the time of night or day and weather conditions’.
Natalie Charles Andrew characterized Ma Paten as Florence Nightingale in her book entitled ‘Famn Kouway’ (Woman of Courage). Ma Paten could also be described as the Mother Theresa of the East.
In answering her noble calls, Ma Paten would venture on foot across the often raging waters of the Sari-Sari, La Ronde, Taberi and Boetica Rivers. At nights she would carry a ‘ boozaye’ (home made kerosene lighted torch) and during inclement weather, she would either travel on horseback or carried by men in a hammock as she negotiated the sharp hills, ridges and valleys of La Plaine, La Frenchette, Case Gowrie and Morne Jaune/ Riveire Cyrique on her way to guide a village woman to deliver another precious child.
She performed her duties at a time when there were no motorable roads or formally trained health care providers in the district. She was paid very little and whatever payment she received was mostly in the form of bartered goods. The baby’s father would often return the favour by working in her garden or delivering a bag of dasheen to her home, slaughtering an animal or doing some other odd jobs around her house. Often, she had to provide clothes for the new borns.
In the early 1970s, Ma Paten’s eyesight, health and strength began to deteriorate. She was no longer able to perform her midwifery duties. She finally stopped practicing her beloved devotion in 1972. At the same time, the majority of rural women began giving birth at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau.
Also in the 70s, the government enacted new midwifery birthing policies which required formally educated, trained and registered nurses to practice midwifery. These polices resulted in the marginalization of the devotion of the ‘Shasfemme’, the courageous and compassionate country midwife such as Ma Paten.
But the beginning of the demise of the ‘Shasfemme’ in Dominica and the East began around 1965 with easier access to the capital city of Roseau via newly constructed roads linking the country. Now expecting mothers who could afford the trip by truck to Roseau chose to give birth at the hospital. Before the roads were opened, the two day journey on foot to Roseau from ‘Au vent’ (Windward coast) went through ‘tete’ Grand Fond, Morne Macaque, Ravine Dejeuner to the Boeri Lake (‘Chemang Letang’).
In rural communities all over Dominica, midwives ( Shasfemmes) in their own unique styles always empowered women to become confident and in control of their pregnancies and become strong, caring and compassionate parents. They exuded the personality and maturity to appreciate the importance of a special event as childbirth to the woman, family and the entire community.
The last time I saw Ma Paten was at her home in 1982. As we talked, I looked deeply into her sunken eyes that by then had lost most of its seeing ability. She could not see me but I could ‘see’ her. I preferred to ‘see’ her in the past tense. It was painfully clear that the end for her was imminent. I asked her simple questions such as what was my birth weight. Of course, she did not know, nor did she keep any health records. Also, there were no weight scales to weigh the new borns in the rural east at the time of my birth in the early 60s and before.
She said she could eyeball the baby for a few seconds after birth and know immediately if it was a healthy or sick baby. If the newborn was sick, she would proceed with visiting the mother and changing to the role of a health care provider- ‘Bush doctor’. I thanked Ma Paten for the guidance, influence and the sacrifices she made to the rural eastern health district. I assured her that even though I was now a long way from the village, she was always on my mind. With a faint but reassuring voice, she wished me well.
After I learned of her death in June 1984, I reflected on her life as a true leader in our small community where there were no real opportunities for women of her generation. I reflected on her work ethic that paved the way for an entire community. She taught us to believe in ourselves, be proud and never forget where we came from. She had earned the utmost respect and love of her people. It was now time for her to gracefully say good-bye.
I returned home in September 2001 with a group of American dentists to provide dental treatment to patients at the La Plaine Health Center and the schools in the eastern district. As I entered the center’s reception room, I noticed a portrait of Ma Paten hanging on the wall with the caption ‘Famn Kouway’ (Woman of Courage).
I felt that same powerful emotion as the last time I saw her in 1982. Between patients, I smiled at the portrait of this majestic woman on the wall and the favour was returned. She had approved the short dental mission that one of her ‘babies’ was conducting in the community which she gave so much to for so long.
I am doing some research into family Tree, based here in England. It MAY well be that MA Paten is/was my Grand Father’s (Elford) Sister- in- Law as her husband (Mr Paten Alie) was my grand uncle. Would be nice to get some flavour of the family tree and connections from anyone with information and pic on Alie. All replies would be appreciated via whatsapp/telegram + 44 79 363636 91 Many thanks .Willy
ADMIN: Greetings Willy, why don’t you send us an email at [email protected] and perhaps we can help find a better way to get your message out.
It’s wonderful to highlight Ma Paten’s meaningful contribution in the community of LaPlaine. Significantly, those who have seen this article and the responses, realize how meaningful it was for each comment, because they were affiliated with a La Plain-Dominican hero.
Congratulations and thanks to Dr. Emanuel Finn for sharing her story, and for bringing a smile on her family’s face, from those who are grateful to have had her in their lives.
It’s still heartwarming now, to read the effect it had on you on that day, when you honestly embraced her words ” …to believe in ourselves, be proud and never forget where we came from.”
She was the one who surprised and greeted you with her inspirational smile of approval, when you returned with your colleagues to proudly give back to your community.
Well done.
On a recent trip to Africa I was made to understand the importance that women played in our ancestral home. Thanks to women like Ma Patent the tradition was kept alive. Today’s young women could learn a thing or two from those older women that we all knew growing up in communities all over Dominica.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. Thank you for writing it!
I AM ONE OF THEM CHILDREN .IN NOVEMBER OF 1961 .THANKS SO. MUCH DR KING GOOD WORK
OMG nurse Keydella Alie Fuller will be happy to put an face to the name of her great grandma so many stories thanks Dr Finn
Wow great story of a great woman !
Very well researched and written article. I got goose bumps as I read. Very emotional. We need more of these touching article. What a life of service. These are the true patriots of the land. I recommend that we rename the Laplaine Health Center as the Ma Paten Health Center. We must find ways to perpetuate the work of these Heroes.
Good suggestion …of renaming the health center in her honor…
LA has alot of pioneers i’m happy someone has looked back to recognize the contribution and struggles of the ones who came before us.
I remember and salute our Florence Nightingale – Ma Paten- she was the one who delivered my mother when she gave birth to my one and only sister, who passed at the age of 1+. Blessed lady with great courage. Or heroine, Ma Paten. May you continue to be an angel in heaven.
Good job Dr. Finn, She deserved this recognition
Very touching article.
she delivered me and my siblings.my mom always spoke of her.thank u so much
Great to know that our history is filled with so many great people,love the article.
Nice story. I guess she delivered me since I was born at La Plaine during the time she was still delivering babies.
This is a fantastic piece on an individual who I heard of a lot from my mom but who I have only very faint recollection of as indeed I was just in my formative years when we resided in La Plaine.
At the time my dad, Lazarus Cadette was a pastor at the C.U.M Church not far from where Ma Paten lived. We left La Plaine in 1973 but I still have fond memories of some of the Elders whom the village revered – like Ma Paten, Ma Tipo, Ma Apps (Sis. Charles who now lives in Chicago USA with her daughters and with whom I spoke with as recently as last month – she is 93 years old)
I notice though that you need to recheck the date and age of Ma Paten since they do not match (just an observation).
THANKS for this article.
Sylvester Cadette, I do remember you and your siblings growing up in the village. Actually Ma Paten’s house was about a 3-minute walk from the Christian Union Mission Church where your dad, Brother Lazarus (as we called him) preached. I must tell you that I enjoyed the summer holiday camps, which your dad organized for the kids in the community. I haven’t seen him in over 30 years but I remember him fondly and some of his preachings and teachings as well. He too helped in the shaping the lives of some of us in La Plaine. But sadly today our beloved community is a hot bed of political division, distrust and disdain based on shallow partisan politics.
Please convey my regards to your parents.
Thanks
Emanuel Finn
Dear Dr. Finn,
I will definitely convey your regards to my parents – they now live in RI USA. I follow your articles keenly. Knowing the history of our communities and the heroes behind their development is so refreshing and firm reminders to us of the selflessness and dedication of these great people and indeed it is educational and hopefully inspiring to the youth.
I recall Fr. Jolly’s General Knowledge Radio programme on DBS in the early 1980s called “KNOW YOUR WORLD”. We really must know our world – moreover, our communities and the people in it that shape us.
I also remember one of the general knowledge information from Fr. Jolly’s Programme about the collection of book essays SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL: A STUDY OF ECONOMICS AS IF PEOPLE MATTERED” by British economist, Professor E. F. Schumacher.
All our heroes in their small (and big) way(s) made our lives great and meaningful. Thanks Fr. Jolly for teaching us in the 1980s through radio. the amazing thing is he never knew where the seed fell. But he dared to sow in faith, trust and confidence for a better future and in the hope that it will fall on good ground – Fr. Jolly is still sowing – WHAT A LOVING, CARING AND DEDICATED GOD-FEARING MAN.
Like him, you Dr. Finn is teaching a new generation to love their heroes, appreciate their past and learn from these principles to build the present and future. So THANK YOU.
Her family should be proud!