As we celebrate the life of Mrs. Janet Jagan, we recall her selfless and dedicated service to Guyana, rendered during a career in public life that spanned over six decades. For the last 12 years she continued that dedication without her life-long partner and husband, the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan. Together they had fought colonialism, striving for peace, democracy and justice. Mrs Jagan would also be remembered for her tireless determination to enhance the lives of all Guyanese, especially of poor women and children.
It is fitting that given the political culture in Guyana - which over the decades was not without its rancour, antagonism and violence - that her opponents see it fit to recognise her contributions to Guyana in paying her frank and realistic tribute.
The opposition PNCR, in noting the important role she played in shaping Guyana’s early political culture, indicated that she worked assiduously to put the issue of women rights and liberation to the top of the national agenda; too, that she was a fighter for independence. The PNCR also said Mrs. Jagan made an important contribution to national development and declared that in her political career as a Minister she made her mark in the field of health, housing and home affairs. Mrs Jagan also had a positive impact as a legislator, a senator and member of the Legislative Assembly.
Mrs Jagan was born in Chicago, Illnois. She married Dr Jagan on August 5, 1943. Fervently committed to the marxist/communist ideology, it is widely believed she played an influential role in Dr. Jagan’s early political development.
She came to British Guiana with him in December 1943 and worked for ten years as a dental nurse in Dr Jagan’s clinic. Mrs Jagan soon became involved in the labour struggle and as a member of the first ever union in the colony, the British Guiana Labour Union. She was also the co-founder of the Political Affairs Committee. In 1950 she was elected General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, serving in this post until 1970.
In what was the first of many ‘firsts’ in her 66-year career, she was also a founder of the Women’s Progressive Organisation, and was also the first elected woman to the Georgetown city council. Later she was among the three women to enter the House of Assembly as a representative of the Essequibo constituency.
Such was Mrs Jagan’s impact that Guyanese from all walks of life today recognise her for the positives that she brought to this nation. Even the smaller political parties, such as the Alliance For Change, have said she will be remembered as the woman who rose to the highest peaks of public life in Guyana through grit and determination.
“For her political activism, she gained a reputation as a strong and fearless leader; never being deterred by her detractors and opponents, and by the controversy which shrouded her life. Though arriving in Guyana as the foreign wife of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, she embraced all things Guyanese and left an indelible mark on this nation,” the AFC said.
Additionally, “It is regretful that genuine healing and reconciliation did not come between her and many who she was at odds with up to the time of her passing. With her death, another chapter of Guyana’s history has closed without it being properly ended.
“The AFC urges all those who have been a part of the political and social construct of Guyana in its formative years especially, since political independence was attained in 1966, to use the occasion of her passing to recommit to healing and reconciliation.”
The AFC continued: “By our actions we must set the example that in Guyana there is no place for intolerance, bigotry and hatred and that a beautiful dawn awaits us if we begin to work together with mutual respect and appreciation for each other as true patriots.”
It is beyond doubt that Mrs Jagan helped in pointing the direction of this “beautiful dawn”.
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