Tribute to Sister Shirley

Shirley Ann Hussein, a longstanding member of CAFRA walked quietly from us on October 7, 2004. The following tributes attest to the warmth, love and feminist action of a beloved fighter in the struggle for Caribbean liberation.

1. Our note of sympathy in this difficult moment for the family of Shirley Ann Hussein, as well as her closer friends, this departure. On moments of sorrow like these, we can only be in a solemn gathering and pray for her. My sympathy and support in solidarity to all the sisters who feel this loss.

Sarah Malavé Lebron
Puerto Rico

2. Shirley has gone on, but her spirit will live on forever. She was certainly a very special and unforgettable person.

Joan Rawlins
Trinidad and Tobago

3. I am really shocked by Shirley’s death. She really brought light into her husband Henri’s life, and the disabled boy they adopted.

Hazel Thompson Ahee
Trinidad and Tobago.

4. We are all saddened by Shirley’s passing. She made a contribution to the women’s movement in Trinidad and Tobago. May she rest in peace.

Grace Talma
Trinidad and Tobago

5. Her work will live on in our memory.

Nzinga Barkley Waite
Belize

6. We are troubled by this loss. This is a very valuable loss, and the only comfort left for us is the great work that she has done.

Sergia Galvan
Dominican Republic

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7. It is not easy to accept the passing away of a true CAFRA building member from the early days. I can see Shirley in front of me, strong in her determination, persevering in her views, fearless in her comments and in the expression of her opinions, but also caring and sweet in her friendship. In reading about her passing away and leaving us, I can hear her loud laugher and see the caring sweetness that her personality also was. Thank you Shirley!

Sonia Cuales
Trinidad and Tobago.

8. I don’t remember when I first met Shirley but my first memory of her was of her disrupting a meeting. I suppose that is everybody’s memory; she disrupted a lot of meetings. I was instantly attracted: I do not even understand people who think the world can be accepted as it is. There was an element in our friendship of kindred spirits though not quite. We talked on the phone about once a month, most recently about her illness, which I never understood to be as grave as it was even though she tried to tell me, about David and his future, about the thesis she wanted recognised and published and used, and always, about global and regional politics. She was always teaching me a piece of Trinidad history I didn’t know. We agreed a lot on politics, at least on the fundamentals. We disagreed a lot on how to do battle for what we believed in: She was braver than I and more individualistic than I, crazier too. She was uncompromising except where love made her find excuses for the person she loved. She was generous with what she had, above all with her time and patience – look at her way of being with David! I remember a day she took me and George Lamming’s mother, with whom I was staying for a few days before she died, for a long, meandering drive, stopping wherever we wanted for however long we wanted and dismissing our attempts to thank her. I remember a day she drove me all over Port of Spain from shop to shop to shop as I tried to find some herbal remedy I couldn’t find at home, saying cheerfully after each failure that it must be there somewhere so let’s try another place: we found it. I will miss her in a very direct way. I hope she knew that what I always thought and felt about her was “respect due”.

Andaiye
Guyana _

9. I will be pleased to work with a small group to publish Shirley’s thesis, a copy of which she gave me a few years ago. I just returned to the Caribbean, and one of my priorities was to read it and give her feedback. Thus I am very moved by her passing. Give Praise for the legacy she left us!

Yvonne Bobb-Smith
Trinidad and Tobago

10. (Walk with her now, the sister by your side, Walk with her now, the sister in that corner.

Nelcia Robinson
CAFRA Regional

11. She was indeed an activist for women issues and a voice that could not be ignored.

Glennis Hyacinth
Trinidad and Tobago

12. I am deeply shocked and saddened. The movement has benefited from her intelligence and determination in the midst of conflict.

Joan French
Burkina Faso

13. It is hard to believe that someone with all that energy and individualism is not with us anymore. I have some wonderful memories of her in Beijing.

Diana Mahabir Wyatt
Trinidad and Tobago