Community salutes yesterday’s children
By Tangerine Clarke
The moving stories of Caribbean
born elders, that will continue
to inspire generations to
come are etched in the memories
of many who came out to
say thank you, at the recent, 9th
Annual Community Salute to
Yesterday’s Children, at St. Jude
Community Center in Brooklyn.
Those honored were Victoria
Dyer, Shelia Guy, Sybil Teresa
Smith, Evelyn Weeks, Samuel
Charles and Marjorie Joseph.
The afternoon that began with
an African Drum procession, and
the pouring of Libation by Awo
Ifaponmile-Sangogbemi, were
all befitting the remarkable gentleman
and women, who trace
their roots to Guyana, Montserrat,
and Trinidad & Tobago.
Victoria Dyer, who celebrated
her 102nd birthday on Oct. 5,
was born in the village of Cork
Hill, White’s Estate in Montserrat.
A mother of five children,
13 grandmother, and 12, greatgrandchildren,
enjoyed her work
as a career market vendor.
After migrating to the United
States 20 years ago, she joined
St. Matthews AME Church, and
today, despite her age, Victoria
still leads a bible study group,
and stays lively by dancing to the
beat of the tambourine.
At age 92, Shelia Guy, a
native of Sangre Grande, Trinidad
and Tobago, and mother
of four, is glowing in the light
of God that she said surrounds
her. The former postal worker,
who loved kite flying as a child,
has great memories of participating
Caribbean L 16 ife, November 8-14, 2019 BQ
in social / civic and cultural
organizations, including
the Girl Guides. She was also an
avid netballer.
When it comes to fashion
and style, Sybil Teresa Smith,
92, is always on point. The
Guyana-born woman, lovingly
called “Miss Teresa” was born in
the rural region of Pomeroon,
where canoe was the only mode
of transportation to school.
After her mother died during
child birth, Smith being
the second eldest in the family
of two brothers and six sisters,
took charge, and became head
of the household.
This experience no doubt,
groomed Smith, and after
becoming married at the tender
age of 18, she lived an extraordinary
life, before migrating
to the United States where she
lives with her son, Roger Gary,
Guyana’s prominent fashion
designer. “A life of total enjoyment
is attributed, to Teresa’s
longevity.
At age 91, Evelyn Weeks,
reflects on her love of service
and giving to others, qualities
that have kept her alive to enjoy
this ripe old age.
The Sangre Grande, Trinidad
& Tobago native, says, “I love
people, and I love the Lord with
all my heart and soul.”
Eighty-seven-year-old Samuel
Charles is bishop and the
overseer at the Mt. Tabor Spiritual
Baptist Church in East
New York.
The Trinidad and Tobago
native who worked as a painter
and security officer for 25 years
in the United States describes
his early life as wonderful.
A mother to five children, 11
grandchildren, and seven greatgrand
children, Marjorie Joseph,
82 who retired from the General
Post Office of Port of Spain,
after 34 years, enjoyed her life
growing up in Sangre Grande.
Yesterday’s Children Honoree, Marjorie Joseph, 82, Samuel Charles, 87, Glenda Cadogan,
director of “Yesterday’s Children”, Sybil Teresa Smith, 92, Sheila Guy, 92, Victoria Dyer, 102
and front row, Evelyn Weeks, 91. Solwazi Afi Olusola
Renting in New York?
New laws make for stronger tenants and
stronger tenant-landlord relationships.
Learn more at nyc.gov/tenantprotection.
#RentersRights
TELL THEM
THE LAW
SAYS:
Security deposits
can only be one
month’s rent.
Mayor
IF YOUR
LANDLORD
SAYS:
I need three months’
security deposit
before you move in.
/tenantprotection