Earlier this month I had the pleasure of watching the young women of St. Albans Episcopal Church perform the Maypole dance at the annual Guyana Folk Festival held in Brooklyn, NY. I remember doing this as a little girl growing up in Guyana dressed up in frilly dresses and socks with colorful hair bows, as we danced and weaved the ribbons to the sound of music. Watching this recreated many, many years later brought back sweet memories. A maypole is a tall…
Oonya Kempadoo is an internationally published and acclaimed author, born in England in 1966 to Guyanese parents. She was brought up in Guyana and studied art in Amsterdam. Oonya has lived and worked for most of her life in various Caribbean islands including Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia, and is currently based in Grenada. A creative writer and novelist, she also works freelance as a researcher and consultant in the arts, private sector, with youth and…
Sukree Boodram left Guyana as a teenager in 1983 for a better opportunity in the US. Four years later she was married to the person who would become her abuser for 21 years. Born into a Hindu family and raised to keep her personal problems to herself, Sukree never sought any help nor did she stand up to her abusive husband. A wife and mother of two, who strongly embraced her cultural and traditional beliefs,…
Former Miss Guyana World, Guyana Universe, Miss United Nations and Miss Jamzone International Soyini Fraser will take to the stage once again, this time to represent Guyana at the Miss Grand International Pageant 2015 to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, October 25. The third edition of the Miss Grand International will see delegates from around the world assembling to compete fiercely in the world renowned pageant. Fraser, who is no stranger to pageantry,…
BMCC Student Government Association President, Okeema Humphrey’s ultimate goal is to give back to the country of her birth, Guyana, but in the meantime she’s sharing very smart advice with her peers. During her recent graduation ceremony, Okeema told the class of 2015 “whether you are employed, unemployed, or moving on to higher education … use what you learned at BMCC to be the best version of yourself that you can be.” Okeema is a…
The Slipper is a classic tale of love and loss portrayed in the most unconventional style. Included are lovable, colorful characters such as Meetu, Vishnu, maa and baap who’s humor infuses a serious subject matter in a very unique, warm and touching manner. What happens when a headstrong teen falls for an unsuitable suitor? What becomes of her future when her strict parents desire another path? And what ensues years later when Meetu’s past catches…
Thank you all for supporting Guyanese Girls Rock in 2013. However the “The Best is Yet to Come.” I’m working on a greater vision for GGR in 2014 and hope that you will all continue to be a part of this movement and accompany me on this journey. A special shout out to all of the beautiful ✿Guyanese Girls✿ who were featured this past year. Keep on emailing or in-box me your suggestions for 2014….
This past Monday, on May 26th, Guyana celebrated it’s 49th independence anniversary, which coincided with the Inauguration of Guyana’s 8th Executive President His Excellency David Arthur Granger at the Guyana National Stadium. While a proud moment for Guyanese living at home and abroad, it was this image of Stacey Codogan performing a sword salute and depicting such strength and beauty that stole the hearts and admiration of many across social media. She Rocks! Photographer: Brian Gomes.
This 23 years old beauty current resides in Florida and is a Pre-Law student at the University of Central Florida. She stands at 5”7 and weights 117lbs. Ariella describes herself as Energetic, intelligent, and always happy. Miss Global is an extravagant and prestigious competition beyond just the physical beauty of women from all over the world. The contestants are encouraged to express their individuality with poise, grace, and wits. Being the Winner of Miss Global,…
Lleuella Morris is no stranger to courage and determination, and overcoming the odds. She is a multitalented businesswoman, an avid volunteer, a committed Christian, and a mentor who is passionate about the development of people. She is the eldest of three children born to Colin Morris and Maureen Semple in the village of Hopetown in Berbice, Guyana and named to honour both sides of her family heritage. The unassuming Ms. Morris is a quiet self-starter…
With Easter Monday only a few days away, I thought it would be quite fitting to share this book and it’s author with you. Here’s an overview of the book and the author’s story … Overview: A Guyanese Girl’s Story is a series of short stories from my childhood. One of my favorite is “Kite Flying in the Village”. Kite flying is a family outing for many in Guyana, South America. Easter is a very…
Soulful. Divine. Spellbinding. Simone Denny is…a legend in the making. Born and raised in Toronto, this powerhouse diva is of Guyanese heritage. Simone’s Caribbean Canadian environment exposed her to a wide and eclectic mixed bag of musical influences. She grew up listening to calypso, reggae, Brazilian music, and of course, R&B. Simone knew in her heart that music would always be a major part of her life. Singing at a talent show in the 6th grade…
Gertie Wood’s name has appeared at fleeting moments on the periphery of scholarship on the Guyanese women’s movement. As such not much has been said or published on the significant volume of work and activism she undertook for women and girls in British Guiana. Social worker, women’s rights activist, accomplished concert artist, and politician, Wood was sometimes the sole female voice articulating for women and equitable conditions of work in the period of her greatest…
Grace Aneiza Ali is the founder and editor of OfNoteMagazine.org, an online magazine that celebrates people of color in the arts. She was born in Guyana and moved to the United States when she was fourteen years old. Having grown up surrounded by a culture of illiteracy among women, she is committed to the work of educating girls in developing nations. Grace launched Of Note in 2009 as a platform to honor “artists whose work values compassion,…
The festival of Holi can be regarded as a celebration of the Colors of Unity & Brotherhood – an opportunity to forget all differences and indulge in unadulterated fun. It has traditionally been celebrated in high spirit without any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex. It is one occasion when sprinkling colored powder (‘gulal’) or colored water on each other breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and…