CAFRA Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action

The entire CAFRA Regional Committee, membership and Staff can pay no greater tribute to Nartel than the one she herself composed: " giving of herself to the service of others up to the last. " It is, after all, the name and memory of the deeds we leave behind which will remain in the minds of those who follow after.

In CAFRA, Nartel ’s name signals endurance, hard work, style, and creativity in service to the regional women’s movement. We saw her commitment and enthusiasm for work in the movement undiminished by health challenges, and we were inspired by her personal style. We deeplyl feel her loss.

On behalf of all her CAFRA sisters throughout the Caribbean, we offer condolences to her family, friends and the CAFRA membership in St. Croix. May God grant your comfort.

Margaret D. Gill
Chairwoman, CAFRA

From Maggie Schmeitz

Condolences to CAFRA and anyone working with Nartel for losing this phenomenal lady. I loved Nartel from the moment I met her, years ago in Dominica. I loved her defiance of all the health issues that so often come with old age, I loved her cynical humoristic criticism of just about everything and above all I loved the fact that, despite all her grumbling, she had a deep and passionate belief in, and commitment to the fight for women’s rights. She was to me a role model of how to deal with your disappointment and frustration and still hang in there. She was an example of doing the things you promise to do; if she told you she’d get back to you on a subject, be sure that she comes back to you about it. I promised her to get back to her on the issue of young women not being committed to the movement; I,m too late to do it now. So Nartel, I still owe you a paper. I promise, I won’t let the issue down. We are not waiting for Godot.

Last time I met her, she brought all kinds of stuff for me and other sisters working in the field of sexual and reproductive health in Suriname. I can still see her, a dignified grand old lady, sitting in the middle of condoms, sponges, and lubricants, casually sorting out the ones with taste.

Nartel, I’m sure this is the way you wanted to leave: in the middle of a meeting. I wish you a safe trip and I thank you for being part of my life. I’m going to miss you.

LOVE, Maggie

To The Family of Nartel Green and my CAFRA sisters,

I am heavy hearted and distraught to learn of the death of a great friend and mother figure Auntie Nartel. From the very first time I met this gracious lady, which seems like all my life, but was really 8 years ago – bold, larger than life, sassy, fashionable, loud, out-spoken and seriously into looking after herself and others, we formed a bond that will never be broken.

Auntie Nartel Green looked out for Christaline Merrifield and I, protected us; fed us information, chastised us when we were wrong and like a good mother rewarded us with a hearty laugh when we did good. She was never stingy with sharing her life experiences and many a night after being in meetings all day, you could find a group of women led by Auntie Nartel with a bottle of wine, her trusty bottle of water and a bag of something to nibble on, having lively discussions until the wee hours of the morning.

Auntie Nartel knew how important the Westbury Readers Club is to me, and every time we met, with out fail, she would have care packages to give out to the children, what she calls “incentive gifts”, tee-shirts, books, pens and pencils, paper and note-books, miniature soaps, creams and even money from her own pocket to treat them to snacks.

We knew Auntie Nartel had her “aches and pains” but she always turned up for meeting sessions where she was a vocal giant, she didn’t back down from a point until you could prove her wrong. I marveled at relationships with many persons, nurturing those friendships in the few precious days we got to spend together planning CAFRA’s business.

CAFRA Regional has lost a great friend and associate. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and CAFRA Us Virgin Islands.

I Salute you Nartel Green , peace be upon you, where ever you are I know you’ll find a soul to mentor.

One Love
Kathy Ife Harris
Barbados

Chronicle for the Memories

You can not be among us, but you will be in our hearts. Because death without any reason one day took you away.

We will not hear your voice because you leave in the silence, neither your smile which used to involve us in a sea of joy.

But the death made a mistake with you like it does it every morning. You will be at each encounter, with the precise orientation, with your reliable look, with your friendly arm.

Good bye to death, your are the life. Simply, you will stay in each woman who’s still singing to love and to life.