Nellie Weekes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nellie Weekes
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Weekes, 1982
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| Born |
Muriel Odessa Walcott
26 August 1896 |
| Died | 11 May 1990 (aged 93) Bridgetown, Barbados
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| Nationality | British Barbadian |
| Other names | Muriel Odessa Weekes |
| Occupation | nurse, midwife, politician, activist |
| Years active | 1916–1982 |
Muriel Odessa "Nellie" Weekes (26 August 1896 – 11 May 1990) was a brave nurse and midwife from Barbados. She was very active in fighting for women's rights. Nellie worked hard to improve pay for workers and helped with many social projects.
In the 1940s, she decided to get involved in politics. This was a time when most women in Barbados were not active in government. Nellie tried three times to win a seat in the House of Assembly. Even though she didn't win those times, she was elected to the Christ Church Vestry in 1958. She served there for many years.
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Early Life and Education
Muriel Odessa Walcott, known as "Nellie," was born on 26 August 1896. Her family lived in Saint Michael Parish in the British West Indies' colony of Barbados. Her parents owned a grocery store.
Nellie grew up in My Lord's Hill with 12 brothers and sisters. She went to Belmont Girls' School. After that, she studied at Lynch's Secondary School. She then trained to be a nurse at the Old Barbados General Hospital. She also became a midwife at St. Michael's Almshouse.
Becoming a Nurse and Activist
Nellie Walcott worked as a nurse and midwife. She wanted to make healthcare better for everyone. So, she started the School of Bedside Nursing. She also created the Culinary School for Women. This school taught women useful skills.
Nellie was also part of the Choir for the Animation of the Sick and Incapacitated. This group used music to cheer up patients in hospitals, homes, and even prisons. She helped with many social projects. These included the Dorcas League, which taught trade skills. She also joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Nellie fought for better pay for teachers and nurses.
She married Charles Nathaniel Weekes, who had served in World War I. He was also a hotel owner. Together, they ran a catering business. They helped manage several hotels, like the Colonial Hotel and the Ritz Hotel. They also ran Weekes' Canteen.
Fighting for Change in Politics
After many years as a nurse and caterer, Nellie Weekes realized something important. She saw that if women wanted better lives, they needed to be involved in making laws. Many people criticized her for speaking out about equality. But she didn't give up.
In 1942, she ran for a seat in the House of Assembly. She wanted to represent the St. George area. She didn't win that time. In 1944, she ran again for the City of Bridgetown. That same year, women in Barbados gained the right to vote. They could also run for election if they met certain income or property rules.
Nellie held a rally on 13 October, where all the speakers were women. But she lost the election again. She tried one more time for the St. George seat in 1946, but didn't win. However, in 1958, she was successfully elected to the Christ Church Vestry. A Vestry was a local council that helped manage parish affairs.
In 1959, Nellie became a founder of the Barbados Labour Party's Women's League. She was also its first vice president.
While on the Vestry, she pushed for many important changes. She wanted minimum wage standards for workers. She also fought for higher salaries for public workers like firemen, nurses, policemen, and teachers. Nellie also wanted the government to provide good, healthy meals for people in government care. She strongly believed that schools should teach about African heritage.
Nellie was an active member of the Barbados Women's Alliance. She spoke out for changes to laws that affected children born outside of marriage. She also wanted equal chances for girls in education. And she believed in proper training for family planning. Nellie continued to work on social issues in Barbados into the early 1980s.
Death and Legacy
Nellie Weekes passed away on 11 May 1990 in Bridgetown, Barbados. She is remembered as a true pioneer. She was a "trailblazer" who led the way in the fight for women's rights in her country.
