Guyana’s First Lady Grand Marshall at West Indian parade

Guyana’s First Lady Grand Marshall at West Indian parade
James Richmond

History was created last Monday, Sept. 2, when First Lady of Guyana, Sandra Granger walked the nearly three-mile route as grand marshall of the 52nd Annual West Indian Day parade, despite the torrential downpour that drenched Eastern Parkway.

Mrs. Granger was the first First Lady of Guyana to participate in the carnival parade in the history of WIADCA’s five plus decades in existence.

Mrs. Granger, who was a guest of honor of the executive of West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) to represent her country, started the day at the organization’s annual breakfast morning in Lincoln Terrace Park, Brooklyn, where she thanked President, Jean Joseph and the body for giving her the opportunity as one of the grand marshalls of the Labor Day parade.

“I would like to thank the executive for giving me the privilege to be a Grand Marshall of this parade today.”

“Thank you for inviting me to this display of Caribbean unity, love and the display of our culture,” said Mrs. Granger, whose delegation, included Consul General of Guyana to New York, Barbara Atherly, president of the Guyana Unity Movement, Sherif Barker-Fraser, Joycelyn Thomas-Wilson, PNC/R member, Rev. James Richmond, and other members of the Guyanese community.

New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, his wife ChirlaneMcCray, and several other dignitaries, greeted Mrs. Granger after the reception and had a photo opportunity on the grounds of Lincoln Park where the event was held.

First Lady Sandra Granger, who also attended the Guyana Cultural Association Annual Folk Festival, Kwe Kwe night, and Family Fun Day in Brooklyn, wore an all-white ensemble, affixed with a bright red sash showcasing the grand marshall title.

Consul General, Barbara Atherly, said the First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, H.E. Mrs. Sandra Granger, was honored to take part in the WIADCA Labor Day Parade as a grand marshal.

“The First Lady enjoyed the experience and completed the three-mile walk with the Commissioner of Police of New York City, James P. O’Neill, ” said Atherly.

“In her opening remarks, she congratulated the work of WIADCA in uniting the Caribbean by celebrating our shared culture,” said CG Atherly.

Members of the Guyanese American Law Enforcement Association, (GALEA), comprising Guyanese in New York Police Department (NYPD), marched along First Lady Sandra Granger, who was greeted along the parkway by Guyanese who lined the route to get a glimpse of the wife of President David Arthur Granger, the ninth president of the Republic of Guyana.

The Guyana Unity Movement, led by Sherif Barker-Fraser, along with Rev. James Richmond and the Guyana Consulate New York, played pivotal roles in First Lady Sandra Granger’s participation in the Labor Day parade and her visit to the New York.