Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes O.R.T.T. President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago joins with the nation in paying tribute to the inimitable Granny Luces, long distance runner extraordinaire and national hero who died today.
An active runner from childhood, Granny Luces rose to fame when she began competing in the Trinidad and Tobago Marathon, her age and silver hair earning her the affectionate moniker Granny Luces. Her athleticism in her senior years served as a defiant push-back against ageism particularly as it affects females in Trinidad and Tobago. She inspired many, both female and male, to take up long distance running. Indeed, the impetus for many a marathon participant to pick up the pace was “Don’t let Granny beat you!”
In addition to completing the TT Marathon and several other local long distance races many times, Granny also represented her country in seniors athletic meets around the world. Here in Trinidad, Granny was honoured by the Eastern Credit Union when in 1988 it established the Granny Luces Classic a 15k foot race along the Eastern Main Road which remains in existence today. Her accomplishments were also noted by her compatriots when she was awarded the Humming Bird Medal Gold in the sphere of Sport in 2013.
Her Excellency well remembers completing a few of the Trinidad and Tobago Marathons in which Granny also participated and remained in awe of Granny’s unfailing stamina and enduringly youthful spirit.
On behalf of a grateful nation and on her own behalf, President Weekes extends heartfelt condolences to the family, running fraternity and all citizens who held Granny Luces dear.
You have run well Granny, your time to rest in eternal peace is at hand. Thank you for inspiring a nation.
Yesterday, the Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Society of Family Law took place at the Trinidad Hilton, under the theme: “The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) at 35 years—A Promise Kept or ‘A Dream Deferred’?” Convened by Senator Hazel Thompson-Ahye, Vice President of the Society of Family Law, this significant gathering brought together jurists, doctors, social workers, researchers, and other professionals from over 50 countries to examine the progress and challenges in advancing children’s rights.Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of Trinidad and Tobago, urged delegates to not only exchange best practices and innovative ideas but also to generate fresh insights and strategies for addressing today’s urgent issues in child welfare. Her Excellency emphasized that the goal of a world where children’s rights are upheld is achievable—but it requires unwavering commitment and action. "We cannot give up on our children’s right to grow up in a spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality, and solidarity," she stated, stressing the need to create conditions where these rights are not only upheld but actively nurtured.Mrs. Faith Marshall-Harris, the Caribbean Representative for the UN Child Rights Committee, presented her findings on the region’s efforts to implement the CRC. She called on signatories to focus on data-driven strategies and reporting to ensure meaningful progress.Her Excellency closed with an inspiring vision, wishing the conference would yield "fruit in due season" like a tree nourished by streams, with leaves that "do not wither." This powerful reminder underscores the importance of resilience and dedication as we work toward making children’s rights a realized promise, not a deferred dream.Click for more information on the International Convention on the Rights of the Child www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child#ISFL#rightofthechild#officeofthepresidentt... See MoreSee Less
🌍💙 It's World Diabetes Day! 💙🌍Did you know that knowing your numbers can make all the difference? Whether it's your blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels, staying on top of your health stats can help you manage or prevent diabetes! 🩺So today, take a moment to check in with yourself – get those numbers checked and make small changes that can lead to big impacts. It’s all about being proactive, staying healthy, and living your best life. Let’s support each other in this journey! 💪#WorldDiabetesDay#KnowYourNumbers#officeofthepresidentt... See MoreSee Less
“Entrepreneurship is of course more than just starting a business. It is about vision and creativity….. it is about the ability to turn simple ideas and aspirations into action, and then, through hard work and perseverance, turning action into success”. Entrepreneurship has a “positive effect that you can have on the lives of other people… it is about having the power to impact your community, your country and the world in meaningful ways”Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago shared this and many nuggets of advice and encouragement with the 8th Cohort of the National Secondary Schol Entrepreneurship Competition (NSSEC) at today’s ( Nov 11) awards and closing ceremony at the NAPAThe NSSEC is a simulation based training Programme that uses gamification and competition to teach secondary school students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. . ... See MoreSee Less
