Lady 1 2014 Online

Lady - more than just a Woman!
- Issue # 1
Lady
more than just a Woman!
From the Publisher
n todays world one thing is certain; women are more

empowered. We have more options and choices; we achieve
academic height, we build careers, realize our dreams and
exercise our rights in a world that is awakening to equality
- and on top of it all, we remain proud in our roles as mothers,
daughters, sisters and caregivers.
This is what we envision in working with Lady Magazine. Like
a mother with child, the process has been challenging, but the
concept is as great and the team working toward achieving this
goal has been phenomenal.
In this inaugural issue we dig deep into some social issues and
the experiences of some women. We also highlight how NGOs
and Government agencies assist in some of the social issues.
However, the overall strength of women can be seen as their
desires for success and, in some cases, survival comes to the
fore. We also look at the lighter side of health, fashion, food and
beauty, which we believe, contributes toward shaping a lady.
Our company is honored to have given birth to a Lady, the first
of its kind in Guyana and the Caribbean. The stories of many
women will remain untold unless we, as a people can do the
work that this magazine exemplifies. If the stories of our life and
our experiences are not expressed and shared then our children
will not learn how to face the challenges in life.
Inspire Inc., in everything it does looks towards building our
country and inspire our people, especially our mothers, sisters
and daughters. We hope you fall in love with Lady and we look
forward to your support as we continue to grow.
Enjoy,
Anita Balram
Publisher
June 2014 ||| Lady / 1
Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1
Contents
40
Lady
EDITORS NOTE 5
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Ladies of Inspire Inc. 7

Doris Ann Lewis
11
Partricia Bacchus
15
Fine Dining with Carolyn Rahaman
33
HEALTH, BEAUTY & FASHION
40
Fashion oh no!
22
Shaping the Lady
43
Renee Thompson - The Business of Beauty
45
Stress and its Effects on a Woman's Health
56
Size Does Matter!
58
PERSONALITY INTERVIEW
07
June 2014 ||| Lady / 2
Nuriyyih Gerrard
24
Alisha Fortune
37
30
Contents
53
50
33
ACADEMIA
The Valedictorians
27
37
THE WOMAN PRINT

Four Sets of Twins
18
Mothers in Black
30
GUYWID
50
The Spirit of a Fighter
53
POLITICS
Gail Teixeira
40
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL
MARRIAGE

42
HER OPINION
The Idea of Parenting Alone
48
RECIPE
60
June 2014 ||| Lady / 3
Lady
Published by
Inspire Inc.
62 Area Q, Turkeyen, E.C.D,
Guyana, South America
Project Manager
Adrian Pryce
Editor
Tivia Collins
Creative Director / Design & Layout

Mensah Fox
Advertising Sales
Adrian Pryce / Malinda Teixeira

Amrita Mangal / Lisa Mclean
Editorial Contribution
Feliz Robertson / Mosa Telford

Sherod Duncan / Keisha Edwards
Jairo Rodrigues / Monique Springer
Schemel Patrick / Antonio Devonish
Neketa Forde / Rishon Seegopaul-Rambarran
Tivia Collins
Photography
Phillip Williams / Ulelli Verbeke

Arian Browne / Azikiwe Denheart
Troy Parboo / Keron Bruce
Stabroek News
On the Cover
Nazalena Natasha Houston & Patricia Bacchus
Cover Photography
Phillip Williams / Troy Parboo

All materials contained in this publication are
protected by copyright law and may not be
reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed
or published without the prior written
permission of Inspire Inc. or in the case of
third party materials, the owner of that content.
You may not alter or remove any trademark,
copyright or other notice from copies
of the content.
Copyright 2014 Inspire Inc.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 4
Lady
Welcome
ady has been nothing short of an absolutely

amazing experience. As the name suggests,
Lady celebrates the accomplishments of
Guyanese women while highlighting the
challenges faced in a world where gender inequalities
are still prevalent. Each story told represents hope
and perseverance, as it signals the undying strength
of the spirit of the woman.
This inaugural issue focuses on the women who

conquer: articles on Nazalena Natasha Houston
and Patricia Bacchus shed light on the importance
of determination and courage when dealing with
lifes situations, while articles featuring GUYWID
and Mothers in Black enforce the universal themes of
heroism and empowerment.
This issue also highlights women such as Gail Teixeira, Doris Lewis
and Carolyn Rahaman who have annihilated the glass ceilings in their
respective fields.
I hope the stories encourage and inspire you to be greater than you
currently can imagine.
We would appreciate your feedback on the content of the magazine. Please
feel free to share with us as we work towards establishing Lady as the
premier womens magazine in Guyana.
Tivia Collins
Editor
June 2014 ||| Lady / 5
Inspire Ladies: L-R - Malinda Teixeira, Anita Balram & Amrita Mangal
Ladies of Inspire Inc.
he team brings together a

wealth of experience not only
as professionals, but as parents,
daughters, sisters, friends and
ladies. Theirs is the reality of what it takes
to live the Guyanese dream. It is their
world and each day they wake up and
engage it, trying to make it a bit better than
it was the day before.
By Sherod Duncan
Malinda Teixeira gave up business as a

restaurateur in the twin island Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago, and as a games
arcade entrepreneur in Grove on the East
Bank, to take on the full-time challenge
with Inspire Inc.
Amrita Mangal with a background in sales
and marketing she readily admits that
when Inspires Business Manager, Adrian
Lall, came knocking at her door to be part

of the new company she was a bit hesitant
but has not regretted a day since.
Typical days starts at 9:00am and go until
4:30pm unless there is a special project on,
then the hours get crazy. This is the work
they live for.
Projects at Inspire include advertising,
June 2014 ||| Lady / 7

Malinda Teixeira & Amrita Mangal
Hair done by:

Kavita's Signature Cut
and Spa
Makeup done by:
Renee Thompson
media planning and buying, sales

promotions, public relations, interactive
marketing, and social business strategies
for companies in Guyana, the Caribbean
and North America. These ladies not only
target large businesses but they stand
by Inspire Inc.s mandate to help small
business reach their full market potential.
This type of job can be demanding.
Amrita says its not tough balancing
family and work. If I have to run out,
when I come back the work gets done. In
addition to work she is on hand to take
care of her fifteen year-old brother since
her parents, who manage a business in the
interior, are often away.
Malinda is engaged. Her son, Dante,
is nine. She muses on the hardship of
growing up and wanting a very different
life for him. I have the battle everyday
of going home and helping with his
homework and assignments; getting him
set for school for the next day. She hopes
that when Dante is older he is able to look
back and see that he was given the best
from what was available.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 8
Do not, however, take anything for

granted: as dedicated as the ladies are to
family, they are consummate in the area of
their expertise. They each feel that nothing
is given to them freely because of their
gender but they quickly add it is definitely
an asset being a woman.
When you are going to the executive of a
company or a CEO, everyone wants to see
a beautiful face walking through the door.
Thats ok, but it should not be just a face
but beauty and brains. They must meet
someone intellectual who is able to carry
on a conversation and be able, at the
end of it, to sell what you have, Malinda
noted.
Amrita intoned, Men tend to get right
down to business, women desire to know
the brand before a common business
ground can be established.
These ladies are beginning to have a
sell you everything reputation in the
business arena: from radio and television
commercials to event promotions, from
classified advertisements in the newspaper
to a front cover of a magazine, they will get

the job done.
The office has its tense moments. There
are clashes over ideas but they soon find
a solution. At the office, the saying, The
journey is the destination rings through
the air serving as a learning experience for
all.
For them being a Lady speaks to a woman
of poise, one who is comfortable in her
own skin while acknowledging that there
is a time and place for everything.
As they put it:
A woman knows herself very well and
a Lady can pretty much embrace any
situation. She is comfortable being who
she is without thinking she has to tweak or
change anything about herself. A lady is
someone with so much strength; so much
resiliency, filled with so much passion,
poise, excitement and life. Everything
about us is beautiful and should be
celebrated. Being a lady is the essence of
being.
Mother, grandmother,
great grandmother,
Catholic,
businesswoman and
volunteer; a warm
and loving individual,
are all elements that
describe Mrs. Doris
Ann Lewis.
Doris Ann Lewis
June 2014 ||| Lady / 11
The Brand of Success

By Mosa Mathifa Telford
orn Doris Jagdharry on

December 8, 1946 in Rose Hall
Town, Berbice, she grew up as a
Georgetown girl since her parents
moved to Alberttown when she was about
five years old. Though she had a sister,
Doris grew like an only child since her
sister grew up with the grandparents.
Love blossomed for Doris just next door

to where she lived. That love proved
worthwhile and lasting as Doris and
Victor Lewis tied the knot in 1968. For her
wedding Doris recalled that she wore a
hand-made dress which she proudly wore
for the simple ceremony at St. Theresas
Church.
In Alberttown, the family established a

grocery store. Doris fondly recalls her
father taking her back to Berbice every
year when school was out so that she
would know her relatives who remained in
the Ancient County.
The marriage produced five boys and two

girls - George, Dionne, Andrew, John,
Joel, Joseph and Crystal. The experience of
having seven children had its challenges,
but through tears, endurance, vision, and
faith in God, Doris and Victor succeeded
in raising their children to be admirable
members of society. Today her children are
successful businessmen and women. She
is not only proud of their success, but also
that they followed in her footsteps, where
religion is concerned.
Her schooling took place at Christ

Church Primary and Secondary Schools,
Oriental College and Youngs Business
School all in Georgetown. In her twenties
she flew to Ontario, Canada to pursue
studies in Business Administration at
Wells Business Academy, but because of
family commitments she only stayed a few
months.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 12
Though her father was a Wesleyan and

her mother a non-practicing Hindu,
Doris followed her own religious path.
She recalls the incident that led her to

seek the knowledge of the Bible. When
a customer called at the family shop in
Alberttown one day for kerosene oil, she
was untruthful when she said they did not
have any because it was not something that
she liked to sell. Her father, upon learning
of the incident, was upset and decided to
punish her by destroying all the comic
books she loved to read. The only book left
was the Bible and she began searching the
pages. The more she read, the more she
felt like she needed to belong and so she
started attending Sacred Heart Church.
Doris became a dedicated Catholic and
even once considered becoming a nun.
That was not her destiny however, but her
faith in Christ never faltered and in 1979
she and her husband became lay ministers.
The bond between Doris and Victor is
an example for others. She has never left
her marital home. Any disagreement
was quickly resolved as they both looked
out for what was best for their family.
She advises everyone to be like Jesus

compassionate and loving. Marriage,
she says goes through stages and it can
eventually grow into a mature love.
She is not oblivious to the fact that all
marriages are not successful. She further
advises young women that when in
relationships they should look for early
signs of issues such as violence. Some
people will change but in many cases the
abusive man or woman will not change.
Listen to parents, friends and guardians
who may notice what you cannot see.
Today Doris is a successful businesswoman
even though it was not what she
envisioned when she was younger. It was
the birth of her fourth child that motivated
her to become an entrepreneur as she
realised that she and her husband needed
to do more to create a bright future for
their children.
They initially started with a Gas Station,
then ventured into Mining but these did
not last very long. They started the Regent
Motor Spares in 1981 which lasted for
10 years after which The Gift Centre was
born in 1991. The business started with a
little over GYD$30,000 after which they

invested everything from the sale of assets
from the earlier Mining venture.
Being in business for over thirty years is
indeed impressive. Doris noted, One has
to make the money work for them. You do
not spend the money you make but pay
yourself a salary and live with it.
After years of determination and
endurance, Doris is the CEO of The Gift
Centre and Shoe Source and she feels a
sense of accomplishment to be able to
hand over the businesses to her children.
There is no doubt that Mrs. Lewis is a
remarkable woman. Her kindness extends
to being involved in organizations such
as St. Josephs Mercys Hospital Auxiliary
(of which she is a past president), Radios
Needy Fund and the Guyana Relief
Council.
She has made contributions to the health,
sport and education sectors through the
various initiatives of The Gift Centre and
Shoe Source which now partners with a US
based charity, Scholarship for Advanced
Guyanese Education (SAGE), for an
annual scholarship for the University of

Guyana.
Her involvement in these organizations
brought awards such as:
RNCF A Salute to Mothers
GRC Commitment and Constant
Support
International Year of Volunteers
Outstanding Volunteer Service
GCCI Long & Selfless dedication to
social relief causes
Rotary Club of Georgetown
Vocational Excellence and High
Ethical Standards in Business.
With a husband who has loved and built
a life with her for over forty years, seven
remarkable children, ten grandchildren
and three great grandchildren, Mrs.
Lewis has a life that is full of joy, success,
generosity and satisfaction.
Mrs. Lewis is an example of determination
and perseverance a woman of substance
who believes that fellow women can
empower themselves through education
and their faith in God.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 13
womans role in business,

economic and social
development, is no different or
no less important than a mans
role. Actually, Im almost compelled to say
that with their attention to intricate details
and their natural persona as care-givers,
women can bring additional valuable
qualities to the table.
We must be cognizant however, that if as
women we desire equality, if we hunger
for upward mobility, then we must be
able to equally give of our time and
energy. We must not expect to be treated
preferentially in the same manner that we
would not wish to be treated unfairly. This
is not to suggest that women who have
important roles in business and economic
development are precluded from having
children and a family, it simply means that
a tighter management of the days twentyfour hours becomes critically important
so as to ensure that neither work nor
family commitments pose constraints
for each other. - Patricia Bacchus on the
role of women in business, the economic
development of Guyana and the social
environment
Patricia Bacchus
Corporate Standards of a Lady
By Jairo Rodrigues
June 2014 ||| Lady / 15
Patricia Bacchus is a woman, no a Lady

of business with a lot on her plate; and
at the age of thirty-one she has to be one
of the youngest professionals in Guyana
with no intentions of slowing down:
her ambitious spirit and her strength
will only elevate her. She currently
serves the multiple senior roles of Chief
Operating Officer, Executive Director of
Administration and Company Secretary
for Caribbean Containers Incorporated
(CCI).
Her other portfolios past and present
include Director on the Guyana Gold
Board, member of the Protected Areas
Commission Board, Part Time Lecturer of
Law at the University of Guyana (UG) and
Councillor at the Georgetown Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (GCCI). Notably
she was the recipient of the GCCI Young
Business Executive Award in 2012.
Her success today can only be accredited
to determination, her strength and
endurance and her passion for excellence
and efficiency, all from the foundations of
a humble beginning.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 16
She was born in East Berbice-Corentyne

on the 1st March, 1983. She gained
Primary education at the Saint Theresas
Primary School then proceeded to the
New Amsterdam Multilateral School for
Secondary Education.
She attended Presidents College and
Patricia Bacchus then spread her wings to
UG where she graduated with a Bachelors
Degree in Law (LLB) in 2004. She received
several awards including the ProChancellors Medal for Best Graduating
Law Student, Anne Blue Memorial
Scholarship for Most Outstanding Second
Year Law Student, Cavendish Book Prize
for Most Outstanding First Year Law
Student and the Professor R.W. James
Prize for Most Outstanding Performance
in the Law of Real Property I and II.
Following UG she completed her studies
at Hugh Wooding Law School where she
was awarded a Legal Education Certificate,
a Certificate of Merit, the Government
of Guyana Prize for Most Outstanding
Guyanese Law Graduate, the Council
of Legal Education Prize for the Most
Outstanding First Year Student, the Book
Specialist Prize for Most Outstanding Law

Student, the M.H. Shaw Memorial Award
for Best Performance in Legal Drafting
and the Lex Caribbean Prize for Client
Interviewing and Advocacy.
After completing her law education at the
age of 23, Patricia was offered a short term
legal consultancy which she accepted.
I felt thrown to the sharks, but

the prospects of foreclosure,
loss of over one hundred
and forty jobs at that time,
and unlikely returns to
shareholders, gave me and
everyone involved, the will to
persevere, work fourteen hours
a day, and successfully meet the
stipulated deadline for closure
of the deal she reflected.
Patricia is self-motivated and continues
to be effective and enjoys success in her
endeavours. We wanted to know how
she thinks the business sector can be
developed. She expressed that Guyana

has great potential which requires
improvements in areas such as institutional
reform, human capital, infrastructural
development and renewable energy at a
cheap cost.
When asked for her thoughts on the role
of women in business, the economic
development of Guyana and the social
environment Patricia said that a womans
role in business is no different or no less
important than a mans role. Actually, Im
almost compelled to say that with their
attention to intricate details and their
natural persona as care-givers, women
can bring additional valuable qualities to
the table.
Patricia does not consider that her greatest
accomplishment is based on her gender
but rather the advances she has been able
to make in her professional life over a
relatively short period of time. Bacchus
charged women to not consider themselves
to be at a disadvantage on the basis of age
or gender. This preconceived notion can
impair your ability to realize your full
potential she said, Enter the world of
work with confidence and enthusiasm
knowing that you deserve to be there

based on the merits of your ability, just
like any other professional.
She supports that women should give
generously of their time and effort so that
they can be effective in their endeavours,
Remember there will always be obstacles
let those obstacles challenge you to be
more aggressive, more determined she

expressed.
It is easy to see why this lady has
accomplished so much at her age. Patricia
Bacchus is not only an inspiration to
women, but a guiding light to everyone
who aspires for excellence and are working
to accomplish their goals.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 17
Four sets of twins!

The Bridget Maria Story
By Neketa Forde
June 2014 ||| Lady / 18
ressed in body hugging jeans,

t-shirt, and a pair of slip-on
boots, she sits on a bench to
watch her stall on Camp and
Regent Streets. What sets her apart from
other vendors is her experience with
having her children exploited by supposed
well-wishers. Bridget has sacrificed a lover
and all chances for an ordinary life for
the sake of her children.
life to collect two, two [of my children],

some from the States and England, her
voice trailed off, and then picked up
Like they are puppies and they can do
a better job than me when it comes to
taking care of my children. Bridget of
course refused on numerous occasions and
instead requested that they provide the
money to assist in raising her children. No
such funds were forthcoming.
Bridget is thankful for all of the support

she and her children have received over
the years but insists that she is not rich
nor is she a beggar. Bridget started out like
any other country girl and she dreamt of a
home filled with laughter and a lover who
would have many children with her. She
eventually settled down and had one child
and four sets of twins, with the man of her
dreams. Soon after reality hit home.
their father decides that I needed to
make a decision between him and the
children. I sent him awaykept the
children, she confided as she shifted
position on the bench.
Local NGOs would have brought potential

adoptive parents to Bridgets home. She
further alleges that some of the same
organisations would circulate photos of
Bridget and her children to raise money
on their behalf. So when persons are
under the impression that the donations
were given to me they were not, a
frustrated Bridget stated. She outlined
an incident where, a friend discovered a
local website, popular with re-migrants,
hosting a photo of Bridget and her family
and asking for donations to support said
family. Subsequently, Bridget decided
to investigate for herself. Incidentally,
someone from the same organisation had
previously interviewed her. The individual
steadfastly denied their involvement with
the scheme and the next time Bridgets
friend checked the website the ad was
removed.
A young nave Bridget began living off the

support of others, mostly support provided
by Non- Governmental Organisations
{NGOs}. It was great in the beginning
having so many people paying attention to
her situation, but as the years progressed
the novelty of nine children so close in
age began to dwindle. Compassion and
concern were replaced by well-meaning
adoptions, photo ops and rationed aid.
Strangers have come from all walks of
For little over a decade Bridget has been

walking the streets of Georgetown selling
an array of items including undergarments
and floral arrangements. She has even
worked five jobs simultaneously, until
June 2014 ||| Lady / 19
settling into her new stall just outside

Galaxy Photo Studio on Camp Street.
She has effectively turned her wounds
into wisdom. I cut it all out completely,
no more [photos] and [after that I went
into business for myself], she forcedly
stated. She guards her children like a
lioness guarding her cubs. [Many] people
come for an interview with her and [they
usually report the wrong things], so she
is admittedly skeptical, Sister Vinnie
sitting on the same bench interjects. She
is Bridgets best friend; they have been
friends for more than two decades.
Bridget works six days a week and wakes
at 3am every morning to start preparing
for the business day ahead of her. She
cooks breakfast for her children and new
husband before she leaves for work. By
6:30am, she is out ready to sell whatever
her stall can carry, whether it is soft
drinks, snacks or belts. As a newcomer
to the vendors scene, Bridget has had
her difficulties, especially with police
constables, but she never let that distract
her from earning a living.
There is an unseen benefit to every story. A
June 2014 ||| Lady / 20
constable heard about Bridget in the news

and decided to help, when he saw me on
the news, he told his subordinate no one
harass me. That is how I end up getting
peace on the road.
Though working in the capital city can be
scary sometimes, her customers provide
her a measure of comfort, something
foolish takes place every day, she laughs,
I dont only sellits like if I am a
teacher, she stops speaking abruptly
to address a customer, then continues, it
is like I have to counsel them, give them

a word of advicesometimes I share my
own experience with them.
For Bridget sharing ones life story is
important because it helps others to
understand that they are not alone. She
hopes to one day pen her autobiography to
enlighten and encourage others. Everyone
has problems, so maybe if they hear one
more difficult than their own then they
will be motivated to move on and do
better.
Fashion Oh-No!
Advice from Shasha Designs
ave you ever been out, date

night, party scene or even in
a grocery aisle, and have that
infamous Oh No! moment?
handles from riding over the (too) tight

jeans by making a special effort to know
what compliments your body shape and
size.
As a designer I have witnessed women

commit several fashion crimes. I have also
observed tragic get-ups by women who
claim to not be interested or are interested
in the fashion world. However, it does
not matter which side of the fashion line
you fall; once you wear clothing there are
always considerations. Let us, therefore,
take time to know common fashion
errors and pledge to correct our mistakes,
avoiding the painful Oh No.
4. Visible panty lines! - :( :( Need I say

more?
5. Wearing
clothes that
are not
your
size!
- Too
many
women
are
guilty of
wearing
clothing that
clearly are too
small or too tight.
Lets avoid those
love
2. Incorrect Bra size! - Wearing a bra that

does not give the right amount of lift and
support can make you look old and can
make your breasts sag. This takes
3. Too much skin! - A little skin is sexy

but too much skin makes you appear
trashy (unless thats the look you are
striving to achieve). Always remember
the golden rule to avoid this fashion
conundrum: If you are showing flesh up
top, cover the flesh at the bottom, and vice
versa.
away from the overall appearance of your

outfit. Having a perfectly fitted bra can
make you seem slender and shapely. Take
your time when buying bras, paying keen
attention to your bust/cup and band ratio,
something every woman should know.
1. All trends cannot be worn by
everyone! While Fashion is a form of
expression, you should realise that all cuts
and lengths are not universally suited.
Practicality proves that all trends cannot
be worn by everyone.
ShaSha Designs is owned by Keisha
Edwards, the principal designer at the
Company.
Email: shashadesigns@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
shashadesigns
June 2014 ||| Lady / 22
Personality Interview
I believe the essence

of what it means to
be a lady lies in the
definition of the word
virtue.
Nuriyyih Gerrard
June 2014 ||| Lady / 24
Radio host on HJ
94.1 Boom FM
Scene from "Shattered Dreams",

staged 2014 at the National
Cultural Centre
uriyyih Gerrard has become one of the most popular

radio announcers in Guyana and currently she cohosts the morning show Jumpstart on 94.1 Boom
FM. With a recognisable laugh, soothing voice and
warm personality Nuriyyih is definitely changing the game on
radio one show at a time.
Age: 22
School: I currently attend the University of Guyana
Hobbies: Acting, Dancing, Exploring social media, Singing,
browsing the internet and I love Reading
National Stadium, February 2014
Favourite saying: In the face of trials, temporary failures or

emotional lows I repeat my personal mantra: I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.
Pet peeve: My name identifies who I am. It is Arabic. It has
significant meaning and it is my most valuable asset, so it always
bothers me when people neglect to take interest in learning its
correct spelling and pronunciation.
Number one song on your playlist: Omigosh! Hope by Emeli
Sande is number one on my playlist! The song is a great source of
motivation for me and it keeps me driven to achieve my goals, as
infinite as they are!
Where do you see yourself in ten years: In 10 years I would
have acquired a Degree in Public Communications from
the University of Guyana and begin to pursue a Degree in
Psychology. I hope to eventually practice Positive Psychology,
which is the study of the strengths and virtues that enable
individuals and communities to thrive. I strongly believe that
this career path would assist me in achieving my ultimate goal of
inspiring real change in the lives of Guyanese.
In Studio
What does being a lady mean to you: I believe the essence

of what it means to be a lady lies in the definition of the word
virtue. Being a lady also means being a conscientious female
citizen who possesses high standards, is respected and one
who has been able to find the ever important balance between
humility and confidence.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be:
If it were up to me poverty at every level would cease to exist.
The late Nelson Mandela said, Poverty is unnecessary. It is like
paying for a crime you did not commit.
I am: afraid of failing. (I recently discovered the big word for
that is atychiphobia). I constantly have to remind myself that,
God has not given me a spirit of fear but of love, power and a
sound mind, so, for the sake of achieving my goals I strive to
push past my fear of failure and always be optimistic about new
journeys.
I constantly have to remind

myself that, God has not given
me a spirit of fear but of love,
power and a sound mind,
June 2014 ||| Lady / 25
The Valedictorians
By Sherod Duncan
You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman;

you educate a generation. - Brigham Young
Loria-Mae Heywood
aledictorians at the University

of Guyana (UG) have separated
themselves from their peers,
working consistently at a high
level with little margin for errors as far
as the Grade Point Average (GPA) is
concerned. Four years of dedication to
studies at UG is no small feat.
The academic rosters are footnoted with
students who have started the journey but
did not complete it, so, graduations are to
be celebrated and recognized for what they
are a testament to hard work, discipline,
and a little fun in between. To graduate top
of the honour roll is to breathe even rarer
air.
Since 1967 fifteen women have graduated
as valedictorians from the University of
Guyana (UG). It is a small, academically
elite group. Loria-Mae Heywood, Vineeta
Persaud and Eileen Marray are the most
recent members.
Eileen Marray
Vineeta Persaud
They are contemporary ladies, yet, if

valedictorian is a typology there is a
certain quietude, almost reclusiveness,
individually. They were students first,
with routine days: lectures to attend, new
people to meet, friends to hang out with,
clubs to join; a myriad of things to do at
the University. It would seem as if being
honoured valedictorian could be anything
that happens in a usual day in each of their
lives.
as a culmination of all the hard work and

effort she put into studies, and all the
support she received from those close to
her. I had more than accomplished what
I had originally set out to do, and I was
immensely happy and proud of what I
achieved. I was beyond thrilled when I
received the news, she said.
Loria-Mae Heywood graduated from

the University of Guyana in 2009 after
reading for a degree in International
Relations. That same year she made
national headlines when she could not
find employment. It was a moment in her
life which she looks back on and thinks,
Things worked out for the best in the end,
and at the right time.
Vineeta Persaud graduated with a degree
in Computer Science and reflects on 2011
Eileen Marrays work ethic to the end of

2013 was a way of keeping up with her
older sisters who always did well. Her
older sister had topped New Amsterdam
Multilateral High School where they all
attended. Her other sister got second place
so expectations were always high.
This was something Heywood identifies
with. She grew up in a relatively large
family: her parents and six siblings; she
confessed not doing as well as her other
siblings at Queen College, her alma mater,
and wanting to make her mark on entering
University.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 27

Persaud shared her experience, entering
University, I was determined to perform
as well as I could. I was not even
thinking about possibly becoming the
Valedictorian. The Vishnu Panday
Association worked with the Department
of Computer Science (CS) to award each
years best graduating student from the
Degree programme with a plaque that is
displayed in the CS Lab. I would look at
the plaques achieved by the graduates,
and tell myself that one day, my name
would be there. It is fair to say she went
far beyond her goal even while achieving
it.
Their days on campus were occasionally
hectic but when it came time to bury
their heads in books in preparation for an
assignment, or an examination, they were
focused.
Heywood said, I didnt have a particular
method of studying, I just read out of my
interest. In terms of assignments, I tackled
them early because I like to do a lot of
background research. When it comes to
exams I am a person who cannot study
too far before. Its like I have to have a
fear of failure to drive me. I just did not
want to fail.
I always had a drive to succeed, Marray
noted, so my parents never had to push
me. I studied on my own. I read through
the material two, three times and in that
way I get a better understanding of the
material and content, putting in two or
three hours a day study time. For me its
more about teaching myself. I would try to
teach myself out loud, she said.
Vineeta Persaud attributes her success to
her lecturers and family, especially her
mother, Rita Persaud who is a Computer
Science lecturer at UG. She pointed
out that her mothers passion for the
field inspired her love for coding and
programming. Her final year project was
the development of learning-friendly
software, MyWebPLE. It was developed to
allow users to actively contribute to their
learning environment, instead of passively
accepting expert-provided information.
This allows the information to be easily
accessed and searched. The users will
be able to contribute, collaborate and
communicate with experts and fellow
learners.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 28
up. Many times I said Im not doing

this study thing anymore but I know my
goal in life is to better lives. Its all about
perseverance for me.
Loria-Mae became one of six Caribbean

students and the only Guyanese to be
shortlisted for the Caribbean Rhodes
scholarship in 2009, and she was later
accepted into the Development Studies
(MPhil) programme at Oxford University.
She is now settled in Switzerland at the
Graduate Institute of Development Studies
pursuing a Masters programme which will
be completed in August, 2014.
Heywood pays a compliment to the
question posed, What happens after
Switzerland? and shows off some of her
fluency in French. Thats a good question.
I have been offered a consultancy with one
of the UN offices here so I am going to take
that up and just see where that leads. I am
looking for some international experience
before thinking about returning home.
I want to be comfortable. Switzerland
has its attractions and studying has its
own hurdles and rewards. Heywood said
there were many times she wanted to give
Eileen has her eyes on higher education,

but is currently enjoying every bit of her
working life. Right now its all about
getting accustomed to the world of work.
For someone who has never worked before
it is a reality-check. She is concerned
about youth unemployment locally and
under-employed; she noted that a friend
of hers who graduated with a degree in
economics is still looking for a job. These
are some of the issues she is sensitive about
looking ahead.
Vineeta has returned to UG as a lecturer.
It is a place that has given much to her,
she says, and she has gone back in service.
She hardly has time for anything else, even
though she is more than optimistic about
higher education.
No one knows what the future holds.
For Loria-Mae, Vineeta, and Eileen
valedictorian was hardly in their sights
when they started at the University
of Guyana. They however put in a
tremendous amount of hard work and
reaped the benefits. These ladies are sure
to make greater strides with the will to
succeed and a good support system to
enable them. It seems the formula has not
changed going forward.
TheAWoman
Print
conversation with
Mothers in Black
By Mosa Telford
or four and a half years they protested outside Parliament

Building affected by the loss of their children and seeking
change. They called themselves Mothers in Black, inspired
by a similar group in Peru called Women in Black, which
consisted of mothers who had lost their sons.
Denise Dias, born to an English mother and Guyanese father,
formed Mothers in Black under the Alicea Foundation.
The Alicea Foundation had been created in memory of Mrs. Dias
daughter Alicea who was struck by an alleged drunk driver along
the East Coast of Demerara. Alicea was only seventeen; a young,
talented life with great promise had been cut by a driver who was
never prosecuted.
Mrs. Dias was not only heartbroken, but very angry. The same driver
had killed a man on the road sometime before and many wondered
why was he still driving when he had a case pending? Mrs. Dias
felt the police and judicial system had failed her. She had to do
something.
Then, in July 1997 another accident took the lives of eight persons,
mainly children. Mrs. Dias immediately placed an advertisement
in the newspapers seeking public support to join a road safety
campaign. Eighteen months later, Mothers in Black was formed.
Withstanding rain and the hot sun, the Women in Black stood
outside Parliament Building with pictures of the children they lost,
calling for the enforcement of road safety laws. After some four and a
half years Mothers in Black was able to influence the enforcement of
road safety laws including laws that dealt with the use helmets, seats
belts, breathalyzers and radar guns by the police on the roadways.
Over the years Mrs. Dias has shared road safety tips with many
school children through the private schools. She is often invited to
the National Road Safety Council, the Traffic Department and the
Ministry of Home Affairs to provide an input on road safety related
regulations. She served as the vice-president of the National Road
June 2014 ||| Lady / 30

Safety Council and represented Guyana in
several road safety events in countries such
as Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, Peru and
the United States where she was invited
to tell her story. In 2010 when the Clinton
Foundation recognised Guyana as one
of the four countries for their progress
in road safety, Mrs. Dias was selected to
represent Guyana.
In 2011 the United Nations General
Assembly adopted a resolution, Decade
of Action for Road Safety, that pledged
to reduce the number of deaths on the
road to zero by 2020. Guyana made a
commitment to honour this pledge in 2012
through the work of the National Road
Safety Council, the Alicea Foundation and
Mothers in Black.
Today, Mothers in Black is concerned
about those between the ages of 18 and 25
who drive without completing the national
driving examinations. Mrs. Dias has been
calling for a national inquiry into issues
such as buying driving licenses as well
as bribery of traffic officers. She is also
concerned about the qualifications that are
needed to join the police force.
There are plans for a monument to be
erected in the National Park in honour
of those whose lives were lost to reckless
driving. Mrs Dias hopes the monument
will serve as a reminder that one life lost
on the road is one too much.
Mrs. Dias proves that women have the
ability to motivate and make changes to
a society. She encourages women to work
together to bring about positive changes,
emphasising that the world would be a
better place if we can spend at least one
hour a week doing something positive for
someone else. This, she concluded, would
guarantee us a more satisfying human
experience.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 31
June 2014 ||| Lady / 32
Fine Dining
With Carolyn Rahaman
It is important to know why you are getting into the

business venture and where the collateral is coming from
before you start
ou arrive at the door where you are

greeted by the restaurants hostess and
guided to a table. Instantly you are
taken by the dcor. Picture: black and
white with red accents and warm lighting,
presenting an intimate setting suitable for
friends, family or that special other half.
When you are seated, your waiter for the
evening presents you with the menu which
offers an array of international and Guyanese
dishes to choose from as well as a list of
imported wines and other beverages.
By the time your night is over, you feel very
pleased to have experienced great food and
excellent service in a soothing atmosphere.

I just wanted to introduce Guyana to the
same standards I enjoyed while travelling
overseas. Carolyn indicated as we sat down
for a chat on the veranda of Silhouette.
The name of the restaurant was decided
after we finished designing it. The ambience
just spoke to me and silhouette came to
mind, Carolyn noted.
Carolyns no stranger to the service industry;
she, along with her husband Jad, were one
of the first proprietors of Palm Court, and
has since helped to establish several family
businesses including JR Burgers and Club
June 2014 ||| Lady / 33
Altitude. Though each venture poses

unique challenges this has not stopped
these business moguls.
in whatever way they can. Though their

actions directly affect development, it isnt
always recognised and appreciated.
It is important to know why you are

getting into the business venture and
where the collateral is coming from before
you start, she explained, as she gave us a
tour of her restaurant. It will not always
be easy but you have to have a vision, a
workable plan, and more importantly
support.
She then spoke very highly of the

accomplishments of her own children and
emphasised, several times, the importance
of education in
shaping the world we
live in. Mrs. Rahaman
is very passionate
about humanitarian
work and she works
with several NonGovernmental
Organisations to
raise money for
underprivileged
families.
A smile consumed her face when she

mentioned support. We had to ask
Family is my rock! Carolyn exclaimed.
They have always been my main support
system. We bounce ideas off of each other
and we are there to give advice and guide
each other through every storm
Therein lies the key to a better Guyana,
Carolyn contends.
I believe the family unit has a
responsibility to pass on values and norms
to children, the type of values that will
allow them to grow.
After an hour of
conversation we
wanted to know what
advice she had to
offer persons who are
unsure of how to make
a difference in life.
Values such as the importance of love

and commitment are important to Mrs.
Rahaman, but most importantly is ones
compassion for others. This led to her
remembering several young people whom
she has interacted with over the years.
Ive met some great young people who left
Guyana to purse their studies abroad and
have now returned home to do volunteer
work and contribute to building Guyana
Too often we
undervalue the
informal methods
she began, just
take a family if you
can, or a child and
support their dreams
in life. Pay for their
education, buy them
school clothes, do
June 2014 ||| Lady / 34
something that that child or person

cannot do for themself. It may seem like a
little gesture, but those small actions will
eventually change the world we live in,
and thats what we all should be trying to
do: we should be trying to make the world
a better place.
Personality Interview
Alisha Fortune
National Sports Champion
June 2014 ||| Lady / 37
People see my glory

but they do not know
my story
June 2014 ||| Lady / 38
lisha Fortune is a National

Runner, Football Referee, Body
Building Champion and a
member of the National Rugby
Team. She is also a Christian and a single
mother of three smart children. Alisha
manages to balance work and family life as
she daily strives to be her better self.
Age: 39
Hobbies: I absolutely love to dance and I
am a trained masseuse.
Favourite saying: Ive been through so
much in life and I manage to maintain a
positive outlook, so I would have to say:
People see my glory but they do not know
my story.
Pet peeve: Persons who smile with you but
are silently waiting for you to fail. I dont
get why some people wish evil on others,
but in life you learn to stay positive and
ignore those negative people.
Number one song on your playlist: Ah!

I have so many and I really appreciate
worship music. Right now Im replaying
Greater Is Coming by Jekalyn Carr.
Where do you see yourself in ten years:
In relation to sports I hope to still be
competing in track and body building
competitions. I also hope to own my own
gym and masseuse parlour. In relation to
life I hope to see my children complete
school and pursue their dreams.
What does being a lady mean to you: A
lady represents strength, determination,
dedication and the ability to overcome
obstacles.
If you could change one thing in the
world what would it be: I would ensure
no one in the world is hungry ever again.
I am: A Champion in every aspect of my
life!
June 2014 ||| Lady / 39
Gail Teixeira
Leading a Political Life

By Antonio Devonish
Politicians dont retire, you

either die on the job or you
are kicked out. I dont
think I can ever just stay out
of a political role, but the role
I play next will be different.
Sooner or later I might want
to do something else.
n a world where politics is more or

less dominated by testosterone, a few
women have proved that political
competence and efficiency do not
discriminate on the basis of sex.
Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail
Teixeira is a woman who has undoubtedly
made a name for herself in the arena of
Guyanese politics.
She began her political career in 1977,
although she recalls having a passion
for domestic and international political
issues as a twelve year old student of the
St Margarets Primary School. During her
time at St. Margarets Teixeira and her
fellow school mates were required to keep
a diary on a topic of their choice. And
while others her age were writing about
their favorite toy or a game they liked, Gail
said she was making notes of the explosive
political atmosphere here in Guyana and
abroad. I think I had it in my bones or
blood stream since then, she explained
chuckling.
Miss Teixeira attended St. Roses High
School until 1966 when she left with her
parents for Canada. She was fourteen at
the time. In Canada, she was involved in
political activism and the pursuit of higher
education.
To garner funds, Teixeira took up jobs
June 2014 ||| Lady / 40
as a waitress, a domestic, and she even

worked in a plastic factory. Her sacrifices
eventually afforded her the chance to
complete an undergraduate degree in Art,
History and English at the University of
Toronto, before moving on to a Masters in
Political Science at York University.
At 19 years, she joined the Canadian
Communist Party (CCP), the Association
of Concerned Guyanese (ACG), and
Canadians Concerned about South
Africa, an organization that was devoted

to raising awareness about the straddles
of South Africa. ACG was of particular
importance to her as it was an organisation
of the Peoples progressive Party (PPP)
committed to the struggle for democracy
in Guyana. It was her involvement in the
ACG that would afford her the chance to
return to Guyana, and eventually become
the political heavyweight she is today.
In 1976 Teixeira met Dr. Cheddi Jagan,
Hon. Gail Teixeira M.P. during Budget Presentation 2014
who quickly recognized her commitment

to the party and her country, and he
invited her back to Guyana as his personal
secretary until 1992 when the PPP won
the general election and Dr. Jagan became
president.
Teixeira was appointed Education Minister
in 1992 and she kept that portfolio
until 1997 when she became Minister
of Culture, Youth and Sport. She then
served as Minister of Culture, Youth
and Sport and Minister of Home Affairs
under President Janet Jagan and President
Bharrat Jagdeo.
Fifteen years after her first ministerial
appointment, President Jagdeo appointed
her as the Advisor on Governance and
Head of the Governance Unit at the
Office of the President. She still holds
that position today, and at 61 years of age,
the veteran politician has no intention of
folding any time soon.
When asked about retirement, Teixeira
said politicians dont retire, you either
die on the job or you are kicked out. I
dont think I can ever just stay out of a
political role, but the role I play next will
be different. Sooner or later I might want
to do something else.
Sacrifices
Ms. Teixeira confessed that as a woman in
politics, she faced and continues to face
several unique challenges. No matter

what you do as a woman you still have to
manage your house, your children, and
sometimes your husband if there is one,
and you are expected to carry the full load
as an equal partner. Women always have
double and triple burdens, and along the
way things get sacrificed, Teixeira noted.
She also commented on the late hours
most politicians work, which can be very
problematic for a mother and a wife in
politics. After a while a man gets bored,
he gets fed up, you know? This is not
what he signed up for. If he is like you,
a political person, then he will have
empathy, but many professional women
are forced to make the choice of either a
career or a family. She continued that
when a choice (sacrifice) is made, it may
seem like the right thing to do but the
toll it takes on ones personal life always
becomes apparent.
Miss Teixeira did not allow her bustling
political career to stop her from having a
family of her own. Family, she said, is the
anchor which holds her steady during the
ups and downs of her political life.
She has successfully raised two daughters
with her partner of 19 years. Though
they eventually separated she maintains
that the union was not a causality of her
pursuit of politics. He was still my best
friend, my partner and adversary. He
remained those things until his passing
just a few months ago. When asked about

the prospect of finding another love, she
laughed, and said Im old now.
She took that light moment to be very
candid, my male comrades respect me
and they recognise my worth, but I think
that none of them would probably want
to live with me. With this statement,
she pointed to yet another issue which
faces women in her position male
intimidation. It is extraordinarily
difficult for men to deal with women like
me, women who are strong and confident.
As women continue to work their selfesteem grows and they become more
ambitious. Somehow this intimidates
men but that should never deter you
from becoming the woman you wish to
become.
In total, Ms. Gail Teixeira believes the life
of a politician offers a sense of fulfilment,
a sea of challenges, and the need for
many sacrifices. Despite these realities,
she encourages women to take up the
mantle. The glass ceiling can be broken,
she concludes, personal reasons aside I
engaged the political life to show young
women, and men for that matter, that
this is a future you can aim for. When in
it never follow blindly, go with eyes wide
open, and as you go know that anguish,
frustration, pain, tears, anger and joy will
be irreplaceable components. The beauty
about it is that those components play a
key role in making the political journey.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 41
What is the Key to a
Successful Marriage?
Carolyn Rahaman
Married for 38 years
Patience. Count from 1 to 10
before you answer because its
the response that brings the
row
Priya Nasir
I think there must be three
main elements: understanding,
compromise and trust
Sheron Taylor
For a successful marriage I believe the lines of communication must always be kept open,
and we should never allow the
love to grow cold
Latoya Mordle
It depends on understanding
and communication
Phillip Williams
Married for 7 years
I dont think there is one specific key that unleashes the
outpour of marital bliss, but
in my opinion maintaining a
strong friendship where there
is plenty skin-teeth, fun and
laughter is vital
Kwesi Isles
Married for 4 years
Its a partnership that calls for
mutual understanding, respect
and an acknowledgement that
no one is perfect
June 2014 ||| Lady / 42
Shaping the Lady

Feature on Kavitas Signature
Cut and Spa
By Monique Springer
June 2014 ||| Lady / 43
your hair says a lot

about your personality
...
avita De La Cruz is a wife, mom and a businesswoman. After working

as a hairstylist for over 15 years , the opportunity of owning her own
salon came along finally and she grasped it. Kavita's Signature Cuts and
Spa became a reality in June of 2011. They offer services in haircutting, styling,
hair and scalp treatment, manicures, pedicures and full body spa treatments. We
stopped by Kavitas for a little chit chat with her.
Lady: Where did the inspiration to become a hairstylist come from?
KD: Well initially from my mom whom was a hair stylist herself. My love for
art and the beauty industry remains my driving force, also I love to see the
transformation and restored self esteem I can make possible for a customer.
Lady: How important is it for your hair to be well groomed as a woman?
KD: Being a hairstylist may have something to do with my response, but it
is actually very important. Every woman has a busy life regardless if you're a
housewife or career woman, but that's no reason to neglect your hair. Simply
worn or eccentric, 'it is your beauty'.
Lady: How often should a woman treat her hair?
KD: We should treat our hair as often as necessary depending on condition, style,
lifestyle etc. Proper shampooing and conditioning is a form of treatment and
should be done no less than once weekly.
Lady: Which hairstyle looks good on every woman?
KD: Once the hair has enough length , I would say a ponytail. Every woman is
beautiful and a ponytail shows it off.
Lady: What do you do when a client insists on having a treatment done that may
cause damage to her hair?
KD: We do not do it, instead, we advice of another service e.g if they come
in for a colour and their hair cannot withstand it we would advice a beautiful
haircut, deep condition and style. They leave happier and more pleased rather
with a whole head of damaged hair.
Lady: How do you motivate your staff?
KD: I compliment my staff on a job well done, it makes them feel appreciated and
eager to please the customers and myself. One staff member said my compliments
have more of an impact than those coming from customers and that makes me
feel appreciated. I must throw in here that I have 11 employees, all women.
Lady: What is the number one misconception prospective business owners have
about owning their own business?
KD: The biggest misconception is that you have to work less. You actually have
to work a lot more because no one is going to take better care of your investment
than you. You have to be in it all the way, especially in small businesses.
Lady: How you balance work and family life
KD: It is difficult at times because I work from Monday to Saturday. During the
week I ensure I prepare three meals a day for my family and on Sunday whatever
we do we do together whether playing games, watching movies or going for a
drive. Family comes first , but I have to work.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 44
Rene Thompson
The Business of Beauty
By Monique Springer
er name is Rene Thompson and beauty is her business.

After two years of introducing herself to makeup artistry,
Renee has already made her mark as one of the most
renowned makeup artists in Guyana. Rene currently
owns Bromeliad.rnc Makeup Studio which deals with makeup retail,
make up artistry and makeup artistry classes and she has worked
with some of the biggest names in the local entertainment industry
- Nuriyyih Gerrard, Lisa Punch, Ruqayyah Boyer and Ashma John.
Lady recently had a chance to chat with this makeup artist about her
career.
Beauty is
something
that we
cannot see;
it is on the
inside. It is
confidence,
self-esteem
and attitude.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 45
Lady: You have always been in the

limelight; you have done modelling,
dancing, designing, poetry and even a bit
of singing, what led you to do makeup
artistry?
RT: I did not choose makeup artistry,
it chose me. I literally wandered into
becoming a makeup artist; it was
pleasantly accidental. I would have never
said that I wanted to become a makeup
artist six years ago but it is what I am
doing now and I absolutely love it!
Lady: Take us through the start-up of
Bromeliad.rnc Makeup Studio
RT: I started this business in my bedroom;
I had just completed my training and
was ready to introduce Black Opal to
June 2014 ||| Lady / 46
my family and friends; these family and

friends became clients and marketing
representatives. The makeup I brought
to Guyana lasted two weeks: I was both
surprised and happy. It wasnt long after
my business outgrew my bedroom and I
needed to get somewhere much larger.
Lady: Where did you receive your
training?
RT: I did my training overseas, in
Barbados. I was trained by Black Opals
Product Manager who taught me how to
use the products and how to market and
sell Black Opal Cosmetics.
Lady: How did you convince people to
start using Black Opal?
RT: I used it myself; there is a part of every

woman that is always looking at another
woman to criticise, compliment or desire.
At first I got compliments, then women
started to desire my impeccable finish- I
told them my secret was Black Opal. I also
did a lot of free work which is paying off
now.
Lady: What does beauty mean to you?
RT: Beauty is something that we cannot
see; it is on the inside. It is confidence, selfesteem and attitude.
Lady: What should makeup be to a
woman?
RT: It should be an enhancer and a

confidence booster. It is not a mask; I do
not agree with women using makeup as a
mask.
Lady: Does makeup make a woman more
beautiful?
RT: Make up does nothing for the soul,
so it cannot make anyone more beautiful;
it can make you prettier and more
presentable in some cases. I have a friend
who was denied a customer service job
because of the acne on her face, Im sure if
she wore makeup her fate might have been
very different.
Lady: What do you say to people who
despise makeup and criticise the use of it?
RT: I would not say anything; it is a
personal choice.
Lady: Where do women make the most
mistakes when it comes to make up
application?
RT: Blending and matching powder with
foundation, a lot of women do not get
this right; and when wrong it makes them
look less pretty. Another problem area is
eyebrow grooming, (which is not makeup
per se but it is definitely my number one
pet peeve) eyebrows should be groomed to

suit the shape of a womans face.
team for New York or Milan Fashion

Week.
Lady: What is one makeup item that a

woman should never be out of?
RT: There is not just one; you should
always have moisturizer, makeup remover,
concealer and sunblock.
Lady: You also teach makeup artistry, what

advice do you give to your students?
RT: Firstly: youre going to have to do
work for free in the beginning, do not
have a problem with this, it will pay off
eventually. Secondly: invest your time and
your money in your trade, there are always
new techniques to learn and new products
to try out. Finally, be ahead of your stock,
you have no excuse to be out of anything.
Lady: What do you think is the

appropriate age for a young woman to start
using makeup?
RT: I dont make the rules, but I think 16 is
a good age.
Lady: What are some of the challenges you
face in this business?
RT: I dont face any major challenges to
be honest, especially when it comes to
competition- I am in my own lane. I show
love to all my fellow makeup artists and
I genuinely wish them the best. I try to
remain humble and disciplined so my
business and career would not suffer.
Lady: You are young and successful. Tell
us, what would be your mama I made it
moment?
RT: Definitely being a part of a makeup
Lady: Whats next for Renee Thompson

and Bromeliad.rnc?
RT: In the immediate future I will have
my own make up line called .rnc . It
would not carry foundation, powder
and skin care products, (I trust Black
Opal Cosmetics with that) but I plan
to brand makeup tools, lip glosses, eye
shadows, mascara and concealer to name
a few. Apart from that I plan to continue
to perfect my craft and work towards
satisfying the needs of all of my clients
because they deserve quality service from
Bromeliad.rnc.
If you are a single

mom you need
a support group.
People you can
trust and depend
on; people that
can become your
village to help raise
your child.
The Idea of Parenting alone
have often heard that it takes a

village to raise a child but now I truly
understand what it means. I, like
many other single parent moms, am
beginning to realize that we are becoming
the majority. Its not something I am proud
of; as a matter of fact I am quite afraid of
June 2014 ||| Lady / 48
By Feliz Robertson
the stark reality. I have been alone for quite

some time trying to raise a man, my son.
Sure he is only 5 now but very soon he will
be taller than I, and refusing my hugs and
kisses. Soon he will be a man. When he
was born, fear swept over me like a black
cloud in the rainforest. It was a familiar
feeling but I was not ready to do this thing

called parenting alone.
I know of women who say, I dont need a
man, I just want a child. While this may
work for some families, it was not what I
desired at all. I wanted him there. I prayed
and tasted of my own tears for many days

and nights as I begged God to touch his
heart so I would not have to do this alone.
In time, I realised that was a losing battle
and I soon gave in to taking the reins and
steering this young, impressionable child
in the right direction.
There are many other moms out there
facing challenges. Some people have
become angry at their plight and have
taken it out on the very children they
swore to love and protect, while others
simply fall into a state of depression. I

know because it happened to me but I
soon realised that I didnt have to do this
alone.
If you are a single mom you need a support
group. People you can trust and depend
on; people that can become your village to
help raise your child. I have a mother that
has quickly become my sons baby sitter,
teacher and anything else he needed her
to be along with sisters who stepped in
as disciplinarians and fun aunties when I
absolutely needed their help.
You may also want to bring a possible
spouse into that village but be careful
because there are so many things to
consider: When you start dating again,

ask yourself when is it a good time
to introduce my partner to my child?
Contemplate whether the extent of your
love relationship depends on how much
your child likes this new man. Ensure that
this new prospect can and will be able to
provide for you and your child or children.
At the end of the day always remember
your child sees you as their shelter, their
strength and their rock: be there as best
as you can, understanding that you are
not going to get everything right the first
time. Most importantly, cherish the village:
because they ensure you do not have to
parent alone.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 49
L to R Hormela Basdeo, Pam Bacchus, Indira Yacoob (Secretary),

Phulmanie DeNobrega (President), Priya Nasir (Vice President),
Jenny Bookmohan and Sharada Persaud
Empowerment is the Key

to Success GUYWID
ladies, March, 2014.
Guyanese Women in Development
uyanese Women in Development

(GUYWID) was started in
Georgetown by the then First
Lady, Janet Jagan in 1994. The
work of that organisation eventually
ended, due to lack of availability of
members, and it was re-launched in
2000 by the Minister of Human Services,
Ms. Indra Chandrapaul in Georgetown.
Two years later, GUYWID was launched
in Berbice with five women as initial
members.
The Organisation provides training,
educational and development
opportunities for many, as they seek to
empower women and teenagers to be
leaders in their respective communities.
GUYWID is also concerned with the
emotional health of women and they seek
to build, through their many projects,
womens self-confidence and self-worth.
We try to do as much as we can with
what we have. We believe women play an
integral part in the societys development
so we work to ensure their development,
Mrs. Denobrega, the President of
GUYWID, shared with Lady.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 50
By Tivia Collins
GUYWIDs programmes cover a wide

range of issues in Berbice, from talks on
domestic violence and drug abuse, to the
importance of child maintenance and
First Aid training. This 15 member (all
female) body has also cleaned up their
surroundings, held walks and vigils to raise
breast cancer awareness and coordinated
with businesses to place bins along the
major roadways in Berbice.
Last year we conducted a six weeks
diabetic support programme in New
Amsterdam, Mrs. Nasir mentioned, that
was followed by a six weeks sewing class to

help women master the trade.
There are families in the region that are
less fortunate and need financial support
to send their children to school. We
provide books, shoes and school uniforms
to as many homes as we can, Mrs.
Persaud noted. We also raised money
to build a house for a family who really
needed one.
After listening to several stories about the
volunteer work of GUYWID, we had to
Christmas 2012, NO. 68 Village Squatting

Area Corentyne

ask if there is anything they cannot do.
This question was greeted by a resounding
No!
If we see a need we try to meet it. Mrs.
Nasir explained, I dont think we consider
the finances first, we always focus on how
to solve the problem or meet the need, and
somehow the money to complete the task
comes.
The women do, however, engage in several
fund raising activities to cover their
basic costs. Each year there is a major
fundraising cricket match at the Berbice
Cricket ground. They also hold food sales,
boat cruises, movie nights, tea parties and
an annual Valentines Dinner. GUYWID
also receives funding from several
businesses and donations from private
individuals, but it is still not enough to
complete all their planned activities in a
year.
the families of the (abused) women they

have helped. The members of GUYWID
had to learn how to balance their personal
lives with volunteering.
One member interjected, everyone
should give their time to help someone
in need even though it can be very
demanding. Though demanding, their
families are always supporting and can
sometimes be seen helping at GUYWID
activities. All the women agreed that the
support of their families provide them
with great strength to continue working.
The group is aware of its challenges
when helping the needy. We are not
counsellors, for example, so we lack the
training needed to help women who
may be in an abusive relationship. They

do, however, refer these women to the
Ministry of Human Services and to Social
Workers in the area for the necessary
help and support. Despite the set-backs
which may seem to cripple them, the
women of GUYWID will keep rising,
as they remain focused on their goal of
women empowerment. For the ladies,
empowerment speaks to the strength
and success of women in their daily lives.
GUYWID reiterated their commitment to
the work of the people and they do hope
their actions as a group continue to affect
change in the community.
Together, they stand firm by their motto:
Win small, Win them All.
Fund Raising Cricket Competition, April 2012
We do as much as we can with the little

we get but more [financial support]
is needed to further the work of the
organisation. The President however is
very grateful for the financial support they
currently receive.
Like any NGO, GUYWID has faced many
challenges throughout the years. They
have been ridiculed and discouraged from
working in the community by several
citizens and have even been threatened by
GUYWID Donates home to Jasmattie Ram
and her five children in Corentyne
International Woman's Day 2013 GUYWID honoured

Vanessa Siamon of Hopetown, West Coast, Berbice
June 2014 ||| Lady / 51
The Spirit of a Fighter

Nazalena Natasha Houston
I will write and share my story with anyone who is

willing to listen. Women need to know this abuse
thing is not a joke. Seek help and move away from
the relationship. Dont let one time turn into death.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 53
he witnessed the hacking to death

of her children; she herself lost
an arm and three fingers all at the
hands of a man she once loved.
The pain and horror were indescribable:
Natasha Houston saw death and lived to
tell its tale.
I am okay, a sigh escaped her lips. What
else can I be? I am alive for a reason only
God knows, but I am thankful.
Eight months before this interview
Natasha had two main reasons to be happy,
her angels, six year old Kimberly and two
year old Saheed.
Tragedy would, however, steal Natashas
angels and attempt to break her spirit. I
believe they are in a better place. That
thought keeps me going. Natasha said
as she held their pictures close to her
heart.
The date was July 31st, 2013.
Natasha unwillingly returned to
the home of her abuser, Richard,
a man she had lived with since
the age of 14. Weeks before
she and her children sought
refuge at a friends home after
she decided she had had enough
of the physical and emotional
abuse she suffered for eight
years.
I thought he was my life. I drop out
[of] school and run away from home
for this boy. I loved him bad.
Natasha related.
The first time he hit me I
kept it silent. He apologised
and said he would never
do it again it, however,
continued from there.
Natasha suffered physical
and emotional trauma if
he drank too much, if she
asked him where he was,
if she was out for too long
or if any response during a
quarrel upset him. Eventually
this abuse affected her
relationships with family. He
did not want her talking to her
mother or spending time with
any family member or friends,
especially male friends. Richards
behaviour was so erratic that he
June 2014 ||| Lady / 54
built their home facing the fields instead of

the road since he claimed Natasha would
be able to see men and leave him.
Natasha did think about leaving him, but
after witnessing abuse as a child at the
hands of her step-father, a permanent fear
plagued her. I actually thought it was
better to stay with Richard [because] I
might find another man and he might beat
me and my kids, just like my step father
did with my mom and siblings.
When
the abuse got
unbearable Natasha would muster up the

strength to leave. With help from family
and friends she managed to be away from
Richard for a few weeks.
There were moments I got away but he
always find me, no matter where I go. He
would turn up, pack up my clothes and
take them back home. Sometime he would
come crying and begging me to come
home and I would eventually go back with
him.
The last time she left she made a decision
never to return. On the 23rd July, 2013
Richard beat her with the usual weapon of
choice, the cutlass. Natasha then fled with
her children to a friends home where
she hid for several days.
A week later Natasha
went to meet with a
probation officer
in Pouderoyen.
Though worried
that Richard
might see her
she proceeded,
cautiously, with
the children. There
Richard was, hiding at
the corner of the road.
When she was near, he
grabbed Natasha and forced
her and the children in the back
of a taxi that was waiting for him.
Despite her pleads with the taxi driver
to take her to the police station, the taxi
drove them home.
Mi come home back fuh mi dead!
Natasha screamed as Richard dragged her
out the car and into their home. Inside the
abuse intensified.
He cuff me, kick me, punch me, bang
up me head to the wall. He do me that
for hours. Natasha relayed as her lips
trembled. He then lock me up in the
house, you cant leave me, he tell
me. Natasha became his prisoner.
Later that evening Richard began to
sharpen his cutlass. Natasha noted that
this was a normal routine for him as a
cane cutter, so she was not alarmed.
The events that followed, however, can be
described as a real life horror story. I
was making porridge for my son when
I feel a burning in my back, when I turned

around Richard was over me with the
cutlass. I watch he chop my hand off and
I fall to the ground. He then turned on my
children. Natasha then provided a chilling
account of the murder of her children.
If it wasnt for the women at Help and

Shelter I dont think I would still be here.
People like Ms. Greene and Ms. Wilson
helped me get back on my feet. If I knew
there was a place like that earlier, I would
have gone long time.
I tell Kimberly run, but it was too late.

He grab her hair and fly a chop straight
cross she neck I see she head roll
down I know she dead. He then turn
pun baby who di hollering all di time.
Natasha clutched her stomach as she
recalled the horror, I tell he run, and
Richard tell he dont move. The boy was
confused. Natashas countenance suddenly
appeared blank, no facial expression. All
I hear after was a chopping sound as I see
baby blood land pun di walls the place
immediately get silent.
Natashas mother, who had been trying all
the while to break the door of the house,
eventually succeeded. This forced Richard
to end his rampage, scale the fence and
escape.
Natasha eventually returned to her

mothers home and has been facing daily
realities but is determined to rise above her
darkness. With only one arm Natasha has
learnt to manage on her own and can be
considered semi-independent. She cooks,
cleans the home and can put on a shirt by
herself (this she demonstrated to us with
much pride). Plans have already begun
(through an NGO) to secure a prosthetic
arm for her which she hopes will make her
fully independent.
It has not been an easy journey but with
her strong faith in God and support from

her family, counsellor and well-wishers,
Natasha continues to hope for better days.
During counselling sessions at Help and
Shelter Natasha found emotional release
through the pen and has written several
stories and poems that bear testimony to
her unbroken spirit.
I will write and share my story with
anyone who is willing to listen. Women
need to know this abuse thing is not a
joke. Seek help and move away from the
relationship. Dont let one time turn into
death.
Though she is not sure what the future
holds she remains somewhat optimistic
about it. She is, however, sure that she will
discover and fulfil the plan God has for her
life. Therein lies the spirit of the fighter.
Neighbours and relatives could not assist

her or move the bodies of the children
until the police arrived so bleeding
Natasha was left, surrounded by death, for
two and a half hours. Natashas life, as she
knew it, was over.
I wasnt thinking about living cause I
didnt know what I would be living for,
Natasha reflected, I lost my children,
they were everything to me.
The weeks that followed were filled with
agony. She was unable to pay her last
respects at her childrens funeral. Richard
was eventually found hanging from a tree
at the Zeelugt foreshore. In keeping with
her request, the house she once lived in
was dismantled. Nightmares tormented
her as she relived the murders both in
dreams and visions.
There was, however, a fighter that emerged.
Natasha was named a miracle by the
doctors, after a successful surgery. Help
and Shelter then placed Natasha in a
safe house where she was counselled
and provided for. The Central Islamic
Organisation of Guyana assisted by
sponsoring a live-in nurse for her during
her time at the safe house. Natasha
eventually started Physiotherapy and was
on the road to recovery.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 55
Remember,
stress happens to
everyone at some
point in their lives.
What determines
the outcome is
how we choose to
react.
Stress and its effects on

A Woman's Health
t was after the birth of my second

child that I really began to feel
stressed. It was then I realised
some of the negative effects stress
was having, not only on me, but on my
marriage, my job - almost every part of my
life!
Many people are stressed right now. Some
are able to handle it while others fall apart
at the tiniest bit of pressure. What makes
them different?
Men and women handle stress differently.
Recent studies have shown that women
differ from men in their emotional
approach to stress and that both long term
and short term stress may take a greater
toll on a womans physical and mental
health than a man.
When stressed, our bodies release a
June 2014 ||| Lady / 56
By Rishon Seegopaul-Rambarran MIRMT, RM, ND.
hormone called cortisol which affects the

skin, digestive system, immune system and
even ones sex drive. Vitamin C is one of
the first vitamins to be depleted from our
bodys storage when we are under stress. It
affects nearly every system in the body and
how we deal with it may be undermining
our health in more ways than we realise.
When my stress level went up, my desire
for sex went down. Dealing with a new
baby, a toddler and a husband who was
working and at school was enough to toss
my libido through the window.
Another sign of stress for women is an
irregular menstrual period. How many
times have you skipped a period during a
stressful time? When my husband and I
were getting married I was very careful to
choose a date where I knew I wouldnt be
expecting my period. After the stress of

Have you gone through a period of hair
loss? This is one of the signs of stress.
After a stressful period, I see hair
everywhere - on my pillow, in the
shower, in my hairbrush, on the
floor, on my shirt, everywhere!
It will fall out by the handfuls!
The hair loss may not be
immediately evident at the
time of the stress, but can
be noticed three to six
months after.
Stress also results in unhealthy
weight gain, reduced fertility and
can put us at an increased risk for
heart disease.
So, the million dollar question: how do
we let go and not let stress consume us?
1.
Speak about
how we feel. Let others
know what we are
going through, but
be sensible about
it. Confide in
people you trust
and foster
mutually
supportive
planning
and
decorating
my own
wedding, my
period was two
weeks late and
showed up on our
wedding night.
Stress is a common cause of insomnia.
Research has shown that women who sleep
little over many nights do not perform as
well on mental tasks when compared to
women who get close to 7 hours of sleep.
Stress also can affect the skin, causing
excess oil production that can cause acne
breakouts. Some girls develop bad acne
during a stressful exam period.
Women are twice as likely as men to
experience depression. Raised levels of
the stress hormone cortisol resulting
from chronic stress like an unhappy job
situation or acute stress like divorce or the
death of a loved one can act as a trigger for
depression.
relationships
with friends,
family and
co-workers. As
women, we are
often programmed
to put others before
ourselves. If you dont share what is
bothering you, people will not be able
to help, even if they want to.
2. Exercise. Whether it is my morning
gym sessions or chasing my two
wonderful kids around the National

Park, exercise helps. Its good for the
heart and reduces the anxious and
depressed feelings we may have. It also
guarantees a good nights rest from all
the physical activity.
3. Eat healthy. Food plays an important
part in how we feel and how we
respond to stress. I am blessed to
live in a country like Guyana where
fresh fruits and vegetables are readily
available. When I go to Bourda
Market, I try to make my shopping
basket as colourful as possible with
lots of local produce. I drink lots
of water, as opposed to juice and
soda and I try to limit my intake of
processed foods.
4. Relax. As a Reiki Master, part of my
daily routine is meditation. I find that
deep breathing and visualization are
equally as effective. The mind is one
of the most powerful tools we have
and more often than not, how we feel
physically is a reflection of what is
happening mentally. You can also get
a professional massage. A deep tissue
massage can remove months of stress
in just an hour.
Sometimes though, stress may be so
overwhelming that
you still need help.
The first step is
always admitting
that there is a
problem. The
next step
is to seek
out a
qualified
mental
health
professional
or counsellor
who can help you
figure out what is
causing the stress and
what steps you can take
to address it.
Remember, stress happens to everyone at
some point in their lives. What determines
the outcome is how we choose to react.
We can overcome it, or we can allow it to
overpower us. Stay happy, stay healthy.
June 2014 ||| Lady / 57
Size Does
Matter!
By Schemel Patrick
ize DOES matter! By size, I

mean shoe size.
Shoes are very important

for a lady. We have countless pairs
of the most fashionable, expensive
and unusual shoes, but are they the
right size for us?
You may be amazed at the importance
of the right size of shoes. More often
than not many of us pay more attention to
fashion than we do to fit and we repeatedly
forget the intricacies of our feet. This can
be damaging.
Lets take a moment to reflect on the
innumerable times weve gone to a party,
or the club, a concert or even to church
and seen women with their shoes in their
hands or on the floor in front of them.
Are these shoes the right size? Did the
ladies consider fit and comfort? Fashion
isnt always comfortable, but we can try to
make our experiences as comfortable as
possible.
Our feet are unique. We spend so much
time on them; its only fair that we take
some time to understand their complexity.
Firstly, our feet are seldom the same size;
one is always larger than the other. We
should buy shoes that are the size of the
larger foot. Secondly, our feet are different
sizes at different times of the day - this was
my AHA moment. Some days I would go
to the office with stilettos, when I get there
I would change into my office flats; at the
end of the day when its time for me to put
June 2014 ||| Lady / 58
back
on
my
stilettos they
would be
much tighter than they were in the
morning. I often wondered why, now I
know. Our feet expand during the day
because were on it so much. For this
reason
it is
recommended
that we shop for shoes in the
afternoon when our feet are largest. Our
feet widen with age, so those shoes that
are great for your teenage self are probably
not going to work for your 30 year old self.
Womens feet also grow after pregnancy.
Most of us love high heels but this may
not always be a good option since high
heels shift our body weight to the front
of our feet, thus increasing the

problems we have with corns,
bunions and the like. Sometimes
you trip and sprain your ankles
in high narrow heels, not
because you cant walk in the
shoes, but because of how theyre
designed - sometimes you also
really dont know how to walk
in them.
Double trouble!
Styles with a slight platform
at the front tend to be more
comfortable as they maintain
stability and balance. A platform
to the front also relieves some
of the stress thats placed on the
balls of our feet. This along with
the right size should make us
comfortable in our stilettos.
It might prove helpful to,
preferably in the afternoon, have
someone measure your feet
whilst youre standing up. Keep
that measurement with you; you
never know when youll decide
to go shoe shopping.
To ensure that were kind to our
feet we should:
1. Buy shoes that are the shape
of our feet and can offer our
feet and ankles the support
they need. Fit and comfort
are essential when getting

your right size.
2. Make certain that you have
good toe room. Many times
the problem with pointy
tips is that they crush our
toes together, killing the
circulation at the front.
3. Ensure the shoes have
proper soles. Lets avoid
slipping and sliding, ladies.
4. Spend some time walking
in them. Some might seem
comfortable when you try
them on at the store but may
not be as comfortable after.
Stretch to fit doesnt work;
if its tight its clearly not
your size and you should try
again.
We all know that we just
CANNOT live without shoes.
This being the evident case we
need to be more sophisticated in
our shopping. Right size, right
fit should be our mantra. Luckily
manufacturers are taking all of
the above into consideration
when manufacturing shoes, so
we just need to be a little more
proactive in our search.
Really, all we need is love the
right size of shoes!!! :)
June 2014 ||| Lady / 59
SILHOUETTE RECIPE
Eggplant Parmigiana
Olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 lg onion chopped
2 (16 oz) cans tomatoes
2 tsp sugar
tsp oregano leaves
tsp basil
tsp sage
1 cup dried bread crumbs

2 eggs
2 tbsp water
1 lg eggplant, cut into slices
cup grated parmesan cheese
1 (8) oz pkg mozzarella cheese
cut into slices
eat 2 tablespoons of oil in a 9 skillet over medium heat. Cook the garlic and onion
until tender, then add the next 5 ingredients. Reduce heat and cook, covered, for 30
minutes.
Place breadcrumbs on waxed paper. Beat the eggs with the water in a small dish. Dip the
eggplant slices in the egg and then the crumbs. Repeat to coat each slice twice.
Preheat oven to 350F. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in frying pan over medium heat. Cook a few
eggplant slices at a time until golden brown. Add more oil as required.
Arrange half the eggplant slices in a 9 x 13 baking dish and covered with half the tomato sauce.
Sprinkle with half the parmesan and top with half the mozzarella. Repeat. Bake for 25 minutes.
Judy Cooper - Canada
June 2014 ||| Lady / 60

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Lady - more than just a Woman!

From the Publisher

n todays world one thing is certain; women are more

June 2014 ||| Lady / 1

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

more than just a Woman!

Ladies of Inspire Inc. 7

Fine Dining with Carolyn Rahaman

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FASHION

Shaping the Lady

Renee Thompson - The Business of Beauty

Stress and its Effects on a Woman's Health

Size Does Matter!

June 2014 ||| Lady / 2

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

THE WOMAN PRINT

The Spirit of a Fighter

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

Creative Director / Design & Layout

Adrian Pryce / Malinda Teixeira

Feliz Robertson / Mosa Telford

Phillip Williams / Ulelli Verbeke

Nazalena Natasha Houston & Patricia Bacchus

Phillip Williams / Troy Parboo

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

more than just a Woman!

ady has been nothing short of an absolutely

This inaugural issue focuses on the women who

June 2014 ||| Lady / 5

Ladies of Inspire Inc.

he team brings together a

Malinda Teixeira gave up business as a

Lall, came knocking at her door to be part

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

Hair done by:

media planning and buying, sales

Do not, however, take anything for

to a front cover of a magazine, they will get

Doris Ann Lewis

June 2014 ||| Lady / 11

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

The Brand of Success

orn Doris Jagdharry on

Love blossomed for Doris just next door

In Alberttown, the family established a

The marriage produced five boys and two

Her schooling took place at Christ

Though her father was a Wesleyan and

She recalls the incident that led her to

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

She advises everyone to be like Jesus

little over GYD$30,000 after which they

annual scholarship for the University of

June 2014 ||| Lady / 13

womans role in business,

June 2014 ||| Lady / 15

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

Patricia Bacchus is a woman, no a Lady

She was born in East Berbice-Corentyne

Specialist Prize for Most Outstanding Law

I felt thrown to the sharks, but

Lady - more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

knowing that you deserve to be there

more aggressive, more determined she