Gertrude Roberts Explained

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

Life

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]

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

Notes and References

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