Parliament honours four female MPs- past and present – along with a staff member

The Guyana Parliament today honoured women in its annual International Women’s Day luncheon at Duke Lodge, Kingston for long and dedicated service.

Those honoured with special awards were Government Members of Parliament, past and present, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai for 20 years of service; Philomena Sahoye-Shury for 15 years of service; and Shirley Edwards for 18 years of service. Opposition Member of Parliament Deborah Backer was also honoured for 14 years of service and staff member of the Parliament Office Eleanor Coddett for 30 years of service.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds presents the daughter of

Opposition Member of Parliament Deborah Backer, her

mother’s award for 14 years of service

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in presenting Deborah Backer’s award to the MPs daughter, reflected on the past and posited that if he had a crystal ball at that time, he would have worked to bring her on the ‘right side’. Backer resigned recently for health reasons.

Leader of the Opposition and of A Partnership for National Unity David Granger commended the achievements of Philomena Sahoye-Shury during her service to the party of her choice. He praised her commitment to her beliefs and her choice to serve.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman

presents an award to Shirley Edwards for 18 years of service

Presenting the award to Minister Sukhai, Alliance for Change Leader Khemraj Ramjattan reflected on her humble beginnings and commended her achievement during her 20 years of service.

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman in presenting the award to Shirley Edwards reflected on her past and strong commitment to the party of her choice in the midst of another party’s stronghold.

Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly (ag) Hermina Gilgeours presented the award to her colleague Coddett, describing her as having contributed dedicated and reliable years of service to the Parliament Office.

The awardees from left to right: Shirley Edwards awarded for

18 years of service; Philomena Sahoye-Shury for 15 years of

service; First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; Amerindian Affairs

Pauline Sukhai for 20 years of service; daughter of Opposition

Member of Parliament Deborah Backer who received her mother’s

award for 14 years of service and staff member of the Parliament

Office Eleanor Coddett for 30 years of service.