Paula-Mae Weekes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula-Mae Weekes
ORTT
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Weekes in 2019
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| 6th President of Trinidad and Tobago | |
| In office 19 March 2018 – 20 March 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Keith Rowley |
| Preceded by | Anthony Carmona |
| Succeeded by | Christine Kangaloo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 December 1958 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Political party | Independent |
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Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT was born on December 23, 1958. She is a well-known politician and judge from Trinidad and Tobago. She served as the sixth President of her country from 2018 to 2023.
Paula-Mae Weekes made history as the first woman to become President of Trinidad and Tobago. She was also the second female head of state in Trinidad and Tobago, after Elizabeth II. Plus, she was the second female president of African descent in the Americas.
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Paula-Mae Weekes' Early Career
Paula-Mae Weekes went to Bishop Anstey High School. She then studied law at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws degree. She also attended the Hugh Wooding Law School.
- In 1982, she officially became a lawyer.
- For 11 years, she worked in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This office handles legal cases for the government.
- In 1993, she started working in private practice. This means she worked for herself or a private law firm.
Becoming a Judge and Beyond
Paula-Mae Weekes became a judge in 1996. Later, in 2005, she was appointed to the Court of Appeals. She worked there until she retired in 2016.
- In 2012, she briefly served as the acting Chief Justice. This happened after the Chief Justice was injured.
- In September 2016, she was appointed to the appeals court in the Turks and Caicos.
Her Time as President
On January 5, 2018, Paula-Mae Weekes was a judge in the Turks and Caicos Islands. At that time, the government of Prime Minister Keith Rowley suggested her as a candidate for president.
- The government hoped to get support from the opposition party, led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
- The opposition later agreed to her nomination.
- Many political experts also praised her for the role.
- Because she was the only person nominated, she was elected President without needing a vote. She served from 2018 to 2023.
Life After Being President
In 2023, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, chose Paula-Mae Weekes for an important role. She was appointed as a co-chair of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession. She shared this role with Kersti Kaljulaid.
Other Activities
- She is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders. This group brings together women who are current or former heads of state or government.
See also
In Spanish: Paula-Mae Weekes para niños
