Kamla Persad-Bissessar is a trailblazer in Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape. As the country’s first female Prime Minister, she has broken barriers and made history. Not only has she held various high-ranking positions, such as Attorney General and Leader of the Opposition, but she has also championed important causes, particularly in the field of education. Despite her impressive accomplishments, she remains grounded and connected to her humble rural roots. With a unique perspective on religion and spirituality, Kamla Persad-Bissessar brings a fresh and inclusive approach to politics.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Kamla Persad Bissessar
- Age: 71 Years, 71 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Gregory Bissessar
- Children: Kris Bissessar
- Prime Ministers
- Political Leaders
- Political ideology: Leader of the Opposition – 25 February 2010 – 25 May 2010, Political party – United National Congress, Other political affiliations – People’s Partnership
- Founder/Co-Founder: People’s Partnership
- Education: University of the West Indies
Childhood & Early Life
Kamla Persad-Bissessar was born on 22 April 1952, in Siparia, a rural community in southern Trinidad. As a young girl, she took interest in technology and in reading novels. She began her studies in 1957 at the rural Mohess Road Hindu School, later studying at Erin Road Presbyterian School and Sibaria Union Presbyterian School. She graduated from Iere High School, one of the five Presbyterian secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago.
Career
Upon graduation from high school, she pursued further study, first at the University of the West Indies and later at Norwood Technical College (in England), culminating in a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Education. Although she was offered a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York, she instead pursued a degree in law at Hugh Wooding Law School, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in law. After completing her studies, she began working as a high school teacher, both in Trinidad and Tobago and in Jamaica. Between 1987 and 1991, she worked as the alderman of the St. Patrick County Council. On 1 November 1994, she took the Oath of Allegiance to represent the United National Congress in Opposition. Beginning in 1995, Persad-Bissessar became a Member of Parliament. From 27 November 1995 until 2 February 1996, she also briefly served as the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago. On October 22, 1999, she assumed the role of the Minister of Education for Trinidad and Tobago – a position she held until 2001. On October 5, 2001, she was sworn as the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago for the second time – this time, she remained in office for a little over two months. In 2002, the United National Congress returned to the Opposition and, four years later, Persad-Bissessar would serve as the Leader of the Opposition on her party’s behalf. In 2006, she received an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration from a Trinidadian university, the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. On 25 February 2010, she was again appointed as the Leader of Opposition. On 26 May 2010, Persad-Bissessar became the Prime Minister – the first female in history to hold the office of the PM in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Awards & Achievements
At 25, she became one of the youngest lecturers to teach at UWI, Mona campus. During her studies at Hugh Wooding Law School, she won prizes for Most Outstanding Student and Best Overall Performance. During her work as Minister of Education, she successfully established a program of universal secondary education throughout Trinidad and Tobago, creating 32 new schools and changing the standardized entrance test to suit more modernized and appropriate assessment standards. Perhaps her most widely known achievement is to serve as the first female Prime Minister in the history of Trinidad and Tobago.
Personal Life & Legacy
Kamla Persad-Bissessar is married to Dr. Gregory Bissessar and together, they have one son. On the matter of religion, she says, ‘I am baptized in the Baptist faith. I have no specific church as such. I am of both the Hindu and the Baptist faiths.’