Ebenezer Theodore Joshua
From: http://groups.msn.com/CrewSVGMizzJokes/ebenezertheodorejoshua.msnw
Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was born in Kingstown on May 23rd, 1908. The young Joshua after leaving pre-school, attended the Kingstown Anglican School. This is the same school situated on Higginson Street in Kingstown. After leaving primary school, he attended the Intermediate High School. On graduating from high school, Joshua became a teacher and taught at several schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Like many young Vincentians, Joshua left St. Vincent and travelled first to Trinidad in 1941 then to Guyana in 1943. In those days, Guyana was known as British Guiana. He returned to Trinidad from Guyana in 1945 and found employment in the teaching profession.
While in Trinidad, Joshua entered politics. This was about the time of the introduction of Universal Adult Suffrage. He joined the British Empire Workers and Citizens Home Rule Party. In a short time, he became one of the party’s best speakers and mounted the platform side by side with Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, being in excellent company with a sound start for his political career.
Joshua entered the 1950 elections, contesting a seat in San Fernando, South Trinidad. He did not win but came very close to taking the seat from the incumbent.
Joshua returned to St. Vincent in 1951 and immediately joined a trade union and political party. He entered the 1951 general elections winning his seat for the Eight Army of Liberation in North Windward. In 1952 he formed the People’s Political Party (PPP) and the Federated Industrial and Agricultural Workers Union (FIAWU).
Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was very much loved by the poor and hardworking people of his homeland. He is regarded by many Vincentians as a champion of the working class and a national hero of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As Chief Minister, he defended the rights of Vincentians and spoke out against outside and colonial rule. Many of the rights and benefits we enjoy, were brought about while Joshua was Chief Minister. Some of the rights and benefits include:
Holidays with pay
Increase in wages
Protection against eviction by insensitive land owners
Freedom to practice religion
Protection against child labour
Joshua remained a member of parliament for twenty-eight years. This extended period of service as a parliamentarian lasted from 1951 to 1979. During that period, he serves as Chief Minister and was also a member and leader of the opposition.
Joshua died on March 14th, 1991 in Kingstown. Almost 2002 years before, in 1795, on the same day, Paramount Carib Chief, Joseph Chatoyer was killed in battle. March 14t is now National Heroes Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was born in Kingstown on May 23rd, 1908. The young Joshua after leaving pre-school, attended the Kingstown Anglican School. This is the same school situated on Higginson Street in Kingstown. After leaving primary school, he attended the Intermediate High School. On graduating from high school, Joshua became a teacher and taught at several schools throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Like many young Vincentians, Joshua left St. Vincent and travelled first to Trinidad in 1941 then to Guyana in 1943. In those days, Guyana was known as British Guiana. He returned to Trinidad from Guyana in 1945 and found employment in the teaching profession.
While in Trinidad, Joshua entered politics. This was about the time of the introduction of Universal Adult Suffrage. He joined the British Empire Workers and Citizens Home Rule Party. In a short time, he became one of the party’s best speakers and mounted the platform side by side with Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, being in excellent company with a sound start for his political career.
Joshua entered the 1950 elections, contesting a seat in San Fernando, South Trinidad. He did not win but came very close to taking the seat from the incumbent.
Joshua returned to St. Vincent in 1951 and immediately joined a trade union and political party. He entered the 1951 general elections winning his seat for the Eight Army of Liberation in North Windward. In 1952 he formed the People’s Political Party (PPP) and the Federated Industrial and Agricultural Workers Union (FIAWU).
Ebenezer Theodore Joshua was very much loved by the poor and hardworking people of his homeland. He is regarded by many Vincentians as a champion of the working class and a national hero of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As Chief Minister, he defended the rights of Vincentians and spoke out against outside and colonial rule. Many of the rights and benefits we enjoy, were brought about while Joshua was Chief Minister. Some of the rights and benefits include:
Holidays with pay
Increase in wages
Protection against eviction by insensitive land owners
Freedom to practice religion
Protection against child labour
Joshua remained a member of parliament for twenty-eight years. This extended period of service as a parliamentarian lasted from 1951 to 1979. During that period, he serves as Chief Minister and was also a member and leader of the opposition.
Joshua died on March 14th, 1991 in Kingstown. Almost 2002 years before, in 1795, on the same day, Paramount Carib Chief, Joseph Chatoyer was killed in battle. March 14t is now National Heroes Day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
posted by Karl Eklund at 7:27 PM
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