A crowd of about 25 gathered at the Long Look Methodist Church on the evening of June 22 to attend a presentation about the territory’s past.
Dr. Quincy Lettsome, who served as the principal of Cane Garden Bay School for 40 years, spoke about education, and praised the accomplishments of educator Alexandrina Maduro.
Ms. Maduro started a school in her home in the 1940s, which later became the St. Philip’s School at Baughers Bay, Dr. Lettsome said.
She also taught secret reading lessons to adults who were ashamed of their illiteracy, he added.
Radio host Douglas Wheatley talked about political activism and explained that three citizens — Theodolph Faulkner, Glanville Fonseca, and Carlton DeCastro — organised a march in 1949 that resulted in the removal of the then commissioner.
He urged the current generation to follow in their footsteps when it comes to taking a stand.
“Those are our mentors: They have shown us the way,” he remarked.
Additional speakers included Ermin Penn, who discussed craft making, and Herman Thomas, who spoke about ship builders.
Although all ages were welcome to attend, Medita Wheatley, a member of the church’s Women’s League, said the league organised the presentation primarily for the youth.
“It’s very important for us to get younger people connected to their past,” she explained.
Last week’s attendees were mostly middle-aged or older, but Ms. Wheatley said the league plans to hold similar events in the near future.
“There is so much more that [the speakers] would have liked to say,” she added.
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