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 (born 23 December 1958) is a Trinidadian politician and a respected judge. She served as the sixth president of Trinidad and Tobago from 2018 to 2023. She made history as the first woman to become President of Trinidad and Tobago. She was also the second female head of state in the country, after Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally, she was the second woman of African background to become a president in the Western Hemisphere, following Ertha Pascal-Trouillot of Haiti.
Contents
Her Journey to the Top
Early Life and Education
Paula-Mae Weekes attended Bishop Anstey High School. She then studied law at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. After that, she went to the Hugh Wooding Law School. She officially became a lawyer in 1982.
Working as a Lawyer and Judge
After finishing her studies, Weekes worked for the Director of Public Prosecutions for 11 years. This office handles legal cases for the government. In 1993, she started her own private law practice.
In 1996, she was appointed as a judge. She later joined the Court of Appeals in 2005. This is a very important court that reviews decisions made by lower courts. She worked there until she retired in 2016. For a short time in 2012, she even served as the acting Chief Justice. This happened after the Chief Justice at the time was injured. In September 2016, Weekes was appointed to the appeals court in the Turks and Caicos.
Becoming President
How She Was Chosen
On 5 January 2018, Paula-Mae Weekes was a judge in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The government of Prime Minister Keith Rowley suggested her as a candidate for president. They hoped that the main opposition party would agree. The opposition, led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, later supported her nomination. Many political experts also praised her for the role.
An Unopposed Election
Because Weekes was the only person nominated for president, no vote was needed. She was officially declared the President of Trinidad and Tobago. This made her the country's first female president.
After Her Presidency
In 2023, the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, chose Weekes for an important role. She was appointed as a co-chair of the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession. She shares this role with Kersti Kaljulaid. This panel works to improve teaching around the world.
Other Activities
- Council of Women World Leaders, Member
See also
In Spanish: Paula-Mae Weekes para niños
