#PNP80: Gender blues ... Supporters bemoan female absence in second-tier leadership

Syranno Baines, Gleaner Writer

Some female supporters of the People's National Party (PNP) have expressed disappointment that there will be no female in the hierarchy, following the outcome of yesterday's vice-presidential elections.

Incumbent Dr Angela Brown Burke was yesterday booted from the second-tier leadership.

One PNP supporter attending the party's annual conference said this was somewhat  "backwards".

Long-time vice-president Dr Fenton Ferguson was also booted while first-time contenders Damion Crawford, Mikael Phillips and Phillip Paulwell were elected as well as incumbent Dr Wykeham McNeill.

"It's party over individual always but I can't help but feel that women are once again becoming backbenchers in the party," said Sophia Mitchell.

But speaking today on That's A Rap on RJR 94FM, attorney-at-law Nicole Gordon said there was nothing particularly wrong with an all-male second-tier leadership.

Portia Simpson Miller has been the only other female vice-president of the PNP. 

According to Gordon, there was nothing to show that the outcomes have been different because there was a female vice-president.

However, that does not console Mitchell.

"Four VPs, one chairman, one president but now zero women. I'm PNP till I die but there was just something about seeing Angela and Portia front and centre and even after Mama (Portia) left there was still a sense of equality because of Angela, of course," she said.

She is confident, however, that women would once again come to the fore in the party.

"There's Lisa (Hanna), Krystal (Tomlinson) and many others and they're ambitious and have a growing support so, women will rise again," she contended.

Fellow supporter Ann-Marie Jackson expressed similar sentiments.

"This organisation always produces high-aspiring and achieving woman. Angela was one such woman so I was hoping we would have retained her not just for symbolism but also for work ethic. But at the end of the day, we are a United party even though personally I like to see women on equal footing as our males."

Trisha McPherson who overheard Jackson also chimed in.

"Woman have to rise. This party will push out another female prime minister inna my lifetime," she said.

A male supporter who hails from Westmoreland also sided with the women.

"It's a good sign when you can have both genders leadership positions within a party such as this. There are six top spots and now it's all male and that's against the background of Angela being there a long time and of course, Portia being Prime Minister. So, I understand their concerns and hope too that we can see another woman come through."

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