Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis has expressed pride in the election of retired Justice of Appeal Paula-Mae Weekes as this country’s first female president.
The Minister recalled Weekes was in a lower form than her at Bishop’s Anstey High School and noted that she portrayed the same personality now as back in school days.
“Then she was very straight-forward and has the same personality today,” Robinson-Regis said.Robinson-Regis recalled that many times she went up against Weekes at school debates.
“I have known her through high school life and she did law too so we were on the same campus…we were not friends but we were friendly. I am very happy and proud of her,” she said.Robinson-Regis said even on behalf of the PNM’s Women’s League there is a lot of excitement as the Government saw it necessary for a female president.
“This sends a positive signal to women and girls of T&T, similarly, as PM said when we had the first female PM, we were all excited of the mere fact that a woman has reached that stage.”
“It is clear that one of the things as T&T, as a country, it has never denied women access to education or any job and that is something commendable,” the Minister said.
Independent Senator, David Small said he was very happy to be part of history-making and added that the magnitude of this decision will show up in years to come.
T&T’s first female prime minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she could not wait to address Weekes as “Madame President.”