Tribute to a TT pioneer

THE EDITOR: It is indeed an honour as a citizen of TT and a young woman to be acquainted with my country's history and the remarkable strides made as an apotheosis of advocacies for social development and social inclusion.

May we never forget the many sacrifices of those before us. We ought not to forget those who selflessly paved the way for us. Therefore, we remember Dame Louise Horne.

Appointed as our country's first female senator in 1976, serving until 1991, she made sterling contributions as a politician, teacher, economist, charity social worker, author and nutritionist and was considered the pioneer of the School Feeding Programme.

Such advocacies are coetaneous and subsumed into policy frameworks that actively pursue the state to offer free meals to students to date. We see so pellucidly how this has greatly transcended and impacted our sphere of development. Horne was invariably imbued with charisma, alacrity, and indefatigability. She led an ascetic life. Her incredible legacy has been imprinted in the annals of our history.

Horne's philosophy was based on understanding one's history: "If you don't know where you have come from, you would never understand where you are going."

In commemoration of Social Work Month, Horne also would be profoundly remembered for her invaluable contribution to social work. Social work is a dynamic and compelling enterprise, worthy of approbation and seen as a conduit for the delivery of social justice, empowerment, social cohesion, and social development.

John G McNutt, a professor of public policy and administration at the University of Delaware, states in Social Work Practice: History and Evolution: "Social work practice is created within the political, social, cultural and economic matrix that shapes the assumptions of practice, the problems that practice must deal with and preferred outcomes of practice."

Sincerest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, former students, and loved ones of the dearly departed centenarian who passed on March 28.

ANCILLA ASHLEY KIRBY

Port of Spain