Carolyn Plaskett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carolyn Plaskett
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Born |
Carolyn Marie Plasket
January 31, 1917 Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
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Died | November 11, 2001 |
(aged 84)
Nationality | American |
Occupation | First Lady of Barbados |
Carolyn Marie Plasket Barrow (born January 31, 1917 – died November 11, 2001) was an amazing American woman. She was an illustrator, a smart scholar, and the First Lady of Barbados. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, USA.
Carolyn was the only child of Reverend Dr. George Plaskett and Carrie Davenport Plaskett. She married Errol Walton Barrow, who became the very first Prime Minister of Barbados. He helped Barbados become independent from Britain in 1966. As First Lady, Carolyn worked hard to build good relationships between America and Barbados.
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Carolyn's Early Life
Carolyn grew up in a religious family in Orange, New Jersey. Her father, Reverend Dr. George M. Plaskett, was from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Her mother, Carrie Davenport, was from Montclair, New Jersey. Her family was very involved in their community. Carolyn was also a member of her local YWCA, which is an organization that helps young women.
School and Travel
After finishing Orange High School in 1934, Carolyn went to Oberlin College. She studied fine arts there. After college, she traveled to Paris, France, and Denmark to continue her studies.
While she was abroad, she met Errol Walton Barrow. He was studying in London at the time. They later got married and had two children, Leslie and David.
Carolyn's husband, Errol Barrow, passed away in 1987. She became a widow at 70 years old. Carolyn herself passed away peacefully in Barbados in 2001, when she was 84.
Her Education Journey
At Oberlin College, Carolyn studied fine arts. She was one of the few Black students at the college during that time. After getting her bachelor's degree, she went to graduate school in 1937.
She studied art at the New York School of Fine and Applied Art (which is now part of Parsons School of Design). This program allowed her to study in both Denmark and Paris. She learned a lot at the Maison de Molière in Paris and was a special student at the International People's College in Helsingor, Denmark.
Making a Difference
As the First Lady of Barbados, Carolyn Plaskett was very important to the country. She helped Barbados connect with other nations.
Building International Friendships
On September 10, 1968, Carolyn and her husband, the Prime Minister, visited the White House in the United States. This was during the time of President Lyndon B. Johnson. They had a special dinner to celebrate Barbados' independence from Britain and to build strong friendships between the two countries.
Carolyn Plaskett believed in helping others and being a good humanitarian. Even with her busy schedule as First Lady, she was a member of the New Jersey Foundation of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc. This shows she cared about her community and helping women.