Because of her I stand tall

By Lucille Seymour

On Saturday, I attended our heroine’s Thanksgiving service and was a little disappointed by the attendance. It was small, but I expected it to be much more significant. Why? Because of her brave and selfless act as a young woman over 60 years ago. Her stance on equality and liberation enabled women to vote. She was neither a political nor a party member. She was a civic-minded young woman with 23 other women who, in an era of male dominance educationally, politically, and socially, was an era when Caymanian women couldn’t own land or inherit if they were the firstborn.

Many tears came to my eyes as I listened to family tributes to a woman full of love for the family community and the environment. I couldn’t help but bow silently when the coffin passed my pew and pray, ‘Lord, thank you for this wonderful Caymanian who helped me to stand tall.’ Yes, she gave all women in the Cayman Islands the vote, with the help of the other 356 women who signed the petition and changed the sex disqualification law.

Her activism and advocacy make her a hero, and the other 23 – the first brave women who set the path for gender equality in the Cayman Islands.

A great show would have been a mark of thanks and appreciation for all Ms Georgette has done to liberate Caymanian women.

Whilst I sat in my truck and watched with open eyes as the hearse drove out with this phenomenal woman, I said, ‘God help us to remember and show with action all those persons who, without personal gain, gave us the freedom that today all our women and our male counterparts can vote and make decisions to improve our beloved islands.’

I also asked that we remember her family always and edify Ms Georgette in some way so that in the coming decades, those who come after us will hear and see the tremendous difference she made for gender equality in the Cayman Islands.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.