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Dr. Peggy
Antrobus, third recipient of the CARICOM
Triennial Award in 1990, has a true Caribbean
cross-national identity. She was born
in Grenada, acquired citizenship of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines and now resides
in Barbados. Her vast and much recognized
work and contributions in the area of
women’s affairs has earned her respect,
admiration and acclaim both regionally
and internationally. In preparation for
a lifetime of service to the region that
can, at the least, be described as illustrious
and exceptional, Dr. Antrobus pursued
studies in Economics at the Bristol University
in the United Kingdom and in Social Work
at the Birmingham University. Her Ph.
D in Education was obtained from the University
of Massachusetts.
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The multifaceted and distinguished career record of
Dr. Antrobus tells of a legendary advocate for women’s
development whose wide ranging professional endeavours
and experiences have been used to positively influence
the course of women’s development in the Caribbean.
Following a stint of service at the Jamaica Ministry
of Finance in 1958, Dr. Antrobus assumed office as an
Assistant Registrar at UWI, later transferring to academia
as lecturer in economics, sociology and social work,
contributing to the university's academic prestige.
Her career path led her to serve in multiple capacities
within the Region and internationally with appointments
which include: Chief Community Development Officer for
St. Vincent (1969-1970), Director, Women’s Bureau, Office
of the Prime Minister, Jamaica (1974-1977), Secretary,
Caribbean Coordinating Committee on Women’s Affairs
(1977-78), Tutor-Coordinator, Women and Development
Unit (WAND) UWI at Cave Hill (1978-1995). Consultant
to UNIFEM (1998-99), Co-sponsor with Centre of Concern,
Washington D.C for Strategic Planning Seminar on Gender
and Trade (1998-2000). Several international agencies
including CIDA, UNDP, UNIFEM benefited from her expert
knowledge as a consultant.
As a member of numerous boards, advisory and steering committees among
which are the International Women’s Tribune Centre, U.S.A. the Global
Fund for Women, U.S.A., the Grenada Education and Development Programme,
Meridians, a new inter-disciplinary feminist journal in the USA, the
Structural Adjustment Review Initiative Network (SAPRIN) Washington
D.C. she shared her expertise and worked diligently to serve the interests
of women and the region.
Through her service and enthusiastic leadership she forged new territory
for women as an instrumental founding member of the Caribbean Association
of Feminist Action and Research (CAFRA) and Development Alternatives
with Women for a New Era (DAWN). She contributed to the vitality of
DAWN functioning as its General Coordinator from 1990 – 1996. She has
written and published extensively on issues pertinent to the role of
women and their development.
The CARICOM Triennial Award is among several prestigious honours and
awards bestowed on this extraordinary Caribbean woman. A select few
are the Distinguished Service Award from the UWI Guild of Graduates
for outstanding contributions to the development of women in the Caribbean
and for commitment to Third World Feminism in 1990; the “Women Who Dared
Award” from the national Black Women’s Health Project in 1993; the UNIFEM
Anniversary Award “for extraordinary commitment to the world’s women”
1995 and the UWI 50th Anniversary Award “For Contribution to the Work
of the University” 1998.