The late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo as she toasted her friend Prime Minister P. J. Patterson on the occasion of 70th birthday, at Hotel RIU in Negril in April. - CONTRIBUTED
TWO WOMEN who touched the lives of Jamaicans died last week. Rosa Parkes, the undisputed mother of the American civil rights movement and Stella Obasanjo, wife of the Nigerian President and a personal friend of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.
Many Jamaicans only discovered the depth of friendship between the Obasanjos and Mr. Patterson when Mrs. Obasanjo flew into the island to celebrate his 70th birthday in Negril earlier this year.
Flair asked the Prime Minister to share his thoughts on the passing of both women and the role of trailblazing women in the world.
On the death of Mrs Stella Obasanjo
"I have known the late Mrs. Stella Obasanjo for many years. I have always admired her beautiful spirit and her graciousness. She was the epitome of ebullience and elegance.
I spoke with President Obasanjo and offered my condolences to him. He has lost a dear wife, Nigeria has lost its First Lady, but I have lost a precious sister. I shall miss her very, very, much. She loved to visit Jamaica and I always looked forward to seeing her whenever she visited. She was such a warm person. Always considerate and charming.
I will remember her for her stellar contribution to the welfare of children. She was an inspiration to women in Nigeria and the African continent and maintained a warm and pleasant personality that endeared her to Nigerians from all walks of life.
Her death has left me deeply saddened. My prayers are with President Obasanjo and the people of Nigeria during this difficult time."
The Government of Jamaica was represented at the funeral last Friday by our High Commissioner to Nigeria His Excellency Paul Harder.
Thoughts on Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is considered to be the "Mother of the civil rights movement" in the United States. She was part of a great army of Black women in the Diaspora who showed courage and determination in facing down discrimination and oppression. Nanny of the Maroons in Jamaica, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks are some of the Black women who have emerged over the last 400 years whose courage and determination changed the course of human history.
These are all ordinary women who did extraordinary things to hasten mankind's march to freedom, equality and justice. Sometimes those who document history conspire to locate the profound intellect and amazing strength and courage of these women in mysticism as in the case of Nanny or, ironically, in a moment of weakness as in the case of Parks. Some people would have us believe that Parks remained seated on that Montgomery bus in 1955 because she was too tired to stand. Of course she was tired. She was tired of segregation and discrimination.
I think that Rosa Parks must be credited for rewriting the course of her country's history. She forced people to acknowledge the ugliness of racism and started a course of events that resulted in America being regarded today as a country of freedom and equality.
Trailblazing people share one thing in common. They take personal responsibility for determining their future. Women in particular are great at this. But when women step forward, they carry their families and communities with them. That's what happened in 1955 resulting in the birth of the civil rights movement.
