Janet Jagan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Janet Jagan OE
6th President of Guyana
In office 19 December 1997 – 11 August 1999
Prime Minister (also First Vice President)	Sam Hinds Bharrat Jagdeo
Preceded by	Sam Hinds
Succeeded by	Bharrat Jagdeo
6th Prime Minister of Guyana
In office 17 March 1997 – 19 December 1997
President	Sam Hinds
Preceded by	Sam Hinds
Succeeded by	Sam Hinds
First Lady of Guyana
In role 9 October 1992 – 6 March 1997
President	Cheddi Jagan
Preceded by	Joyce Hoyte
Succeeded by	Yvonne Hinds
Spouse of the Premier of British Guiana
In role 5 September 1961 – 12 December 1964
Premier	Cheddi Jagan
Preceded by	Inaugural holder
Succeeded by	Sheila Bernice Lataste Burnham
Spouse of the Chief Minister of British Guiana
In Role 30 May 1953 – 9 October 1953
Minister	Cheddi Jagan
Preceded by	Inaugural holder
Succeeded by	Role abolished
Personal details
Born	Janet Rosenberg (1920-10-20)20 October 1920 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	28 March 2009(2009-03-28) (aged 88) Georgetown, Guyana
Political party	People's Progressive Party
Spouse	Cheddi Jagan (1943–1997)
Nickname	Bhaujie (transl. brother’s wife in Guyanese Hindustani)

Janet Rosenberg Jagan (October 20, 1920 – March 28, 2009) was an important politician in Guyana. She was born in the United States but moved to Guyana and became a Guyanese citizen. Janet Jagan made history as the first female President of Guyana, serving from 1997 to 1999. Before that, she was also the first female Prime Minister of Guyana in 1997. She was married to Cheddi Jagan, who was also a President of Guyana. For her hard work and dedication, she received Guyana's highest national award, the Order of Excellence, in 1993. She also received an international award for women's rights in 1998.

Early Life and Family

Janet Rosenberg was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on October 20, 1920. Her family was Jewish. In 1942, when she was 22, she met Cheddi Jagan. He was a dentistry student from Guyana. They got married in 1943. Later that year, she moved with him to Guyana. There, Cheddi started his dental practice.

Working for Change in Guyana

When Janet Jagan moved to Guyana, she quickly became involved in helping workers. She joined a labor union with her husband. For ten years, she also worked as a nurse in her husband's dental clinic. In 1946, she helped start two important groups. One was the Women's Political and Economic Organization. The other was the Political Affairs Committee. These groups worked to improve life for people in Guyana.

Janet Jagan's Political Journey

Janet Jagan tried to get elected to government in 1947 but didn't win that time. On January 1, 1950, she and her husband, Cheddi Jagan, started a new political party. It was called the People's Progressive Party (PPP). Janet was the General Secretary of the PPP for 20 years. In 1950, she was also elected to the Georgetown City Council.

In 1953, Janet Jagan won a seat in the House of Assembly. She was one of only three women to win seats in that election. After the election, she became the Deputy Speaker of the Legislature. The PPP wanted Guyana to be free from British rule. After winning the 1953 election, the PPP formed a government. However, the British government removed them from power after only 133 days. This happened because the British were worried about the Jagans' political ideas.

Janet Jagan Presidential Standard

Janet and Cheddi Jagan were even put in jail for five months in 1955. After that, they were kept under house arrest for two years. The British government changed the rules to try and stop them from holding high offices. But Janet Jagan was re-elected to the House of Assembly in 1957. She then became the Minister of Labour, Health, and Housing.

Cheddi Jagan became Prime Minister again in 1961. Janet later became the Minister of Home Affairs in 1963. She also worked as the editor of the PPP newspaper, Mirror, for many years. She was elected to Parliament several times and served for 46 years, becoming the longest-serving member.

When Cheddi Jagan became President in 1992, Janet Jagan became the First Lady of Guyana. She even represented Guyana at the United Nations for three months in 1993.

After her husband passed away, Janet Jagan became Prime Minister in March 1997. She then ran for President in the December 1997 election. The PPP won, and Janet Jagan became the first female President of Guyana. She was also the first Jewish and first U.S.-born leader of the country. She was recognized as a "Freedom hero" for her work.

Health and Later Years

In July 1999, Janet Jagan had some health problems. She went to the hospital for chest pains and exhaustion. Doctors found she had a heart condition. She decided to step down as President on August 8, 1999. She explained that her health meant she could no longer lead with the strength needed. Bharrat Jagdeo, who was the Finance Minister, became the new President on August 11.

Even after resigning, Janet Jagan stayed active in the PPP. She continued to be an important voice in the party. Janet Jagan passed away on March 28, 2009, at the age of 88. Her body was cremated in Guyana a few days later.

Writings and Contributions to Culture

Janet Jagan was also very involved in Guyanese literature and culture. She helped publish early poems by the famous Guyanese writer Martin Carter. She strongly believed that children in Guyana needed books that showed their own lives and experiences. She wrote several children's books, including:

• When Grandpa Cheddi was a Boy and Other Stories (1993)
• Patricia, the Baby Manatee (1995)
• Anastasia the Ant-Eater (1997)
• The Dog Who Loved Flowers

See also

In Spanish: Janet Jagan para niños