Gertrude Roberts (September 16, 1930 – November 6, 2019) was an educator and politician in Dominica.[1]

Life edit

She was born in Delices and received her national teacher's certificate in 1952. She pursued further studies, completing an advanced certificate at the Leeward Islands Teacher's College and earning a certificate in educational studies from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne's Institute of Education. She taught and was principal at various schools across Dominica. She also served as program coordinator for the National Council of Women for Dominica.[2]

Roberts received a National Service Award in 1973.[3]

In 1979, she helped form the "Pickaxe Brigade" to assist with reconstruction following Hurricane David.[2]

Roberts was elected in the district of Morne Jaune/Riviere Cyrique in 1990, in 1995 and in 2000.[4][5][6] When the United Workers' Party won the 1995 general election, she was named Minister of Community Development and Women's Affairs, a post she held until 2000.[2][1]

She had six children, and her daughter Gretta Roberts was elected to represent her former district in December 2019.[1][7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Gertrude Roberts, former minister, laid to rest accorded with an official funeral". WIC News. 2019-11-24. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  2. ^ a b c Women in Politics: Voices from the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Secretariat. 1999. pp. 52–54. ISBN 085092569X.
  3. ^ "National Service Awards Register". Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
  4. ^ "1990 General Election Results". Government of Dominica.
  5. ^ "1995 General Election Results". Government of Dominica.
  6. ^ "2000 General Election Results". Government of Dominica.
  7. ^ "Iconic Dominican Figure, former Educator and Minister for Community Development & Women's Affairs, Gertrude Roberts died Wednesday night, at the age of 90". Q95FM. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2020-10-02.