Georgianna Kathleen Symonette
Georgianna Symonette
Bahamian Stamp 2012
Born(1902-04-04)4 April 1902
Eleuthera, Bahamas
Died14 May 1965(1965-05-14) (aged 63)
NationalityBahamian
OccupationSuffragist
ChildrenClement Maynard
RelativesAllyson Maynard Gibson (granddaughter)

Georgianna Kathleen Symonette (4 April 1902 – 14 May 1965)[1] a Bahamian suffragist, was the founding chairwoman of the Women's Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party[1] and founding member of the Women's Suffrage Movement. In 2012, The Bahamian government issued a series of postage stamps to honor the women who campaigned to gain universal adult suffrage.[2][3] Symonette appeared on the 25 cent stamp.[3]

Early life and education

Georgianna Kathleen Symonette was born on 4 April 1902 in Wemyss Bight, Eleuthera, to Olivia M cKinney and Alexander Symonette. ( An edit is needed here as there seem to be a bit of confusion.The Bahamas Civil Register lists Olivia's surname as Major, in Olivia's birth record, her marriage record and also in Georgianna's birth record. Georgianna's father's name was George E (Enoch) Symonette in her birthrecords as well as the marriage record to Olivia. Georgianna's grandfather was Alexander.) [1] Symonette attended the government school in Wemyss Bight. After Symonette finished her schooling, she was an assistant teacher there.[1] Symonette relocated to Nassau to pursue nursing as a career at Bahamas General Hospital (now called Princess Margaret Hospital).[1]

Suffragist

Along with Mary Ingraham, Eugenia Lockhart and Mabel Walker, Symonette founded the Women's Suffrage Movement.[1]

Later life, recognition, death

Symonette died aged 63 on 14 May 1965.[1]

Her son Clement Maynard was the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas from 1985 to 1992,[1] and Symonette's granddaughter Allyson Maynard Gibson assumed the position of Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs in 2012.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hinsey, Shananda. "LibGuides: Women Suffrage: Suffrage Women". cob-bs.libguides.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  2. "Women's Suffrage Commemorative Stamps | Bahamas News". www.bahamasb2b.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Women's Suffrage Movement Commemorative stamp". www.thebahamasweekly.com. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. "Bahamas Financial Services Board". www.bfsb-bahamas.com. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
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