Gwen Liz is Remembered for Women’s Month
You may only know her name from a school or street, but politician and women’s activist Gwendolyn Lizarraga was celebrated this past weekend. She was a businesswoman, chicle and mahogany farmer, a supporter of equal pay and advocate for protection of women labourers. She even surveyed land to create parcels for women in the Collet division. She was one of the first Belizean women to run for political office and the first female minister of government. This weekend her contributions to Belize were recognized at a ceremony at the Lord’s Ridge Cemetery.
Student, Gwen Lizarraga High School
“Where there is hatred, let us so love.
Gwendolyn Lizarraga
Duane Moody, Reporting
Those were the words of Madam Liz that resonated with those at a memorial service held over the weekend in Belize City. Gwendolyn Margaret Lizarraga nee Smith died at age seventy-three back in June 1975, but was known for her role as an advocate for social justice and the empowerment of women. Madam Liz or Gwen Liz, after whom the Belize City high school was named, was never afraid of a challenge – which coincidentally fits with this year’s Women’s Month theme.
Natasha Pipersburgh
Natasha Pipersburgh, Councillor, Belize City Council
“Here we have a woman who chose to challenge, not just herself, but her very existence. She chose to challenge herself to not just start a women’s group, U.W.G., United Women’s Group – the women’s arm of the People’s Untied Party, which was established in February of 1959 – but a group which made women inclusive in the decision making within the political arena, a male dominated arena at that.”
Over the weekend, the United Women’s Group honoured Madam Liz by laying wreaths at her grave. Lizarraga was the first elected female area representative and Minister of Education, Land and Housing.
Erica Jang
Senator Erica Jang, President, U.W.G.
“As we celebrate and honour the life of Madam Gwendolyn Lizarraga who has set the foundation for what we women are achieving as expert electrician, scientists, engineers, Speakers of the House, President of the Senate, magistrates, judges, we need to recognise within ourselves the role models of the next generation. We breathe a breath of fresh air that mists from a strong formidable woman. Together, we seek to live on her legacy of resilient leadership. Madam Liz’s role was no accident. It was embedded in her; her love for her country and people continue to reflect immensely in the work of women.”
Student
“It was while she headed the land and housing ministry that the idea developed to build Belize Junior Secondary School Number 2, known as BJSS No. 2. Gwendolyn Lizarraga, Madam Liz was like any other woman and thus she became a woman to be admired. She was both a career woman and a mother. Madam Liz was always thinking about the poor and the sick and thus assisted in many areas. She was once a probation officer in social development department. She helped women to acquire their own house and lot.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
