Remembering Janet Jagan

October 29, 20265 min read

Dear Editor,

It is very important to know our history and the people that make Guyana what it is presently. One such person who I would honour today was former President, former Prime Minister, former Deputy Speaker, former General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and first lady, Cde Janet Jagan.

Cde Janet Jagan was the wife of a legend and former President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is always good to know how this important journey began. In early 1942, Dr Jagan found the beautiful young lady and married her the following year on August 5, 1943. After Dr Jagan completed his studies, he returned to British Guiana with his wife, Janet Jagan.

Not long after the return of Dr Jagan, along with Janet Jagan, Jocelyn Hubbard and Ashton Chase formed the Political Affairs Committee (PCA) in 1946^[1]. Again, Cde Janet had played another very important roll with her husband Cde Cheddi Jagan, Ashton Chase and Forbes Burnham to form the People’s Progressive Party on the 1st January 1950^[2]. Since that time, she had become very active in Guyana’s political struggle, participating in the movement for workers’ rights, political representation, democratic Government and an end to colonial rule.

Her contribution came at a time when colonial rule restricted the political power of ordinary Guyanese. The demand for universal adult suffrage, better working conditions and greater opportunities for the working class required courage, determination and perseverance.

Janet Jagan stood firmly in that struggle. Her commitment and political activities brought her into conflict with the colonial power to be, and she had experience of imprisonment and political restrictions. Nevertheless, she did not give up but continued to campaign for political and social change, which she believed Guyana needed at that time.

She was a champion of women’s rights, in which she had formed the Women’s Political and Economic Organization (WPEO). It must be noted that during the period in which she entered politics, women in the then British Guyana had faced significant barriers to political participation, economic opportunity and public leadership. Cde Janet recognised that a truly democratic society could not be built while women remained disadvantaged or excluded from decision-making.

Janet Jagan’s achievements were historic. She became one of the early women legislators in Guyana, the first woman Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 1953^[3], the country’s first female Prime Minister in 1997 and, later that year, its first female President.^[4]

These milestones were more than personal achievements. They demonstrated that women could occupy the highest positions of public responsibility and help shape the direction of an entire nation. This is being demonstrated by female Ministers, and now presently former Minister and Ambassador Caroline Rodrigues Burkitt, who is presently vying for the top UN leadership position, and her presentations so far are great.

Her work also extends to practical questions affecting working women. During her time in Government, she supported measures relating to labour protection and improved conditions for workers, including women employed in stores and domestic service.

Today, when women continue to press for equal opportunities, fair treatment and greater representation in leadership, Janet Jagan’s record remains a reminder of the importance of those struggles.

Janet Jagan also contributed to the development of Guyanese journalism through her involvement in organising media workers. Her record illustrates that her public life was not confined to Parliament or the corridors of Government. She was also a communicator, writer and advocate who understood that a nation’s development depends partly on the ability of its people to express their views.

Throughout her political career, Janet Jagan maintained a strong identification with the working class and with people who struggled to secure a decent standard of living.

Her political outlook was shaped by the belief that Government should respond to the needs of ordinary citizens rather than serve only the interests of the privileged. This movement of empowering the working class continued under the former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, and is presently under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali.

This commitment influenced her work on labour issues, women’s rights, social welfare and democratic participation. She believed that national development should be measured not only by economic statistics or political achievements but also by the opportunities available to working families and vulnerable communities.

Her political beliefs and methods were not universally accepted. She also won the United Nations Peace Prize.^[5] She attracted strong support as well as criticism. Her ideological convictions and the policies associated with her political movement remain subjects of historical debate.

Following the death of her husband, Dr Cheddi Jagan, in March 1997, Janet Jagan continued to play a leading role in the political movement she helped to build.

On March 17, 1997, she became Guyana’s first female Prime Minister and first Vice President. On December 19 of that year, she was sworn in as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Her presidency, however, was relatively brief. She resigned in August 1999 because of ill health, having served for less than two years.

Although her time in office was short, its historical significance should not be underestimated. Her rise to the presidency reflected decades of political participation, organising, writing and service to the country.

She had travelled a long road from the early days of the independence struggle to the highest office in Guyana. However, her contribution to Guyana cannot be understood solely through the lens of party politics. Her place in history also rests on her pioneering role in women’s leadership, her work in journalism, her participation in the independence movement and her decades of involvement in public affairs.

A mature nation must be willing to recognise the contributions of its historical figures while also examining their records honestly and critically. Remembering Janet Jagan should therefore be an opportunity not merely to praise her but to reflect on the broader lessons of her life.

Her story raises important questions about equality, democracy, the responsibilities of leadership and the sacrifices people make in pursuit of their convictions.

It also reminds us that national progress is rarely the achievement of one individual. It is built through the collective efforts of generations of citizens, many of whom work under difficult circumstances and without receiving recognition during their lifetimes.

Janet Jagan lived through some of the most consequential periods in Guyana’s modern history. She witnessed colonial rule, the struggle for independence, the changing fortunes of political parties, the challenges of governance and the restoration of democratic elections in 1992.

Finally, I can recall that during the early 90s I had the opportunity to engage with her, and I had learnt a lot from her in dealing with people. Her passing in March 2009 marked the end of an extraordinary chapter. What remains is the responsibility of the nation to preserve its history, learn from its leaders and ensure that the struggles of earlier generations are not forgotten.

May her life continue to encourage meaningful reflection on the values of democracy, equality, public service and the enduring responsibility to build a better Guyana for all its people.

Thanks.

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Forsythe

References

Political Affairs Committee (British Guiana)en.wikipedia.org ↩
Cheddi Jagan founder of the Peoples Progressive Partyjagan.org ↩
JANET JAGAN, O.E. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEECHES VOLUME 1jagan.org ↩
Janet Jagan elected president of Guyanajwa.org ↩
Jamaica Gleaner News - Former Guyana president, Janet Jagan, dead at 88 - Sunday | March 29, 2009mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com ↩

Political Affairs Committee (British Guiana)

en.wikipedia.org

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) was a political party in British Guiana. History The PAC was formed on 6 November 1946 by Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, Ashton Chase and Jocelyn Hubbard. [1] On the same day it started producing the PAC Bulletin, printing 60 copies. [1] The bulletin was usually published once or twice a month. [2] The party called for the introduction of universal suffrage and self-government, fair wage rules and land reform. [1] [2] However, the press supporting the colonial regime labelled the PAC as a communist front. [1] ... The party put forward three candidates for the 1947 general elections, the Jagans and Hubbard, although they contested the elections as independents. [2] Cheddi Jagan contested the Central Demerara seat against John D'Aguiar (the incumbent), HL Palmer and Frank Jacob; Jagan won with 31% of the vote. Janet Jagan contested Georgetown Central constituency, finishing second, whilst Hubbard ran in Georgetown North, losing after a campaign marred by racism. [2] ... On 1 January 1950 the PAC merged with the British Guiana Labour Party to form the People's Progressive Party. [3]

Cheddi Jagan founder of the Peoples Progressive Party

jagan.org

Guyana, he was immediately concerned over the economic and social conditions of the people and saw the need for political change. His search for broader political involvement took him to the post of treasurer of the Man-Power Citizens' Association, effectively the first trade union for sugar estate workers. However, internal differences led to Jagan founding the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in 1946 with his wife and two young trade unionists, Jocelyn Hubbard and Ashton Chase. ... the ... the ... Jagan's experiences confirmed his belief that major changes were necessary, and in 1950 he and his political associates in the PAC formed the People's Progressive Party (PPP), the first modern mass party in Guyana. The legacy of slavery and indentured immigration had created a population divided between those of African and East Indian descent. The PPP tried to unite these two groups within a radical anti-colonialist party and, in an attempt to foster unity asked Forbes Burnham, an Afro-Guyanese lawyer recently returned from England, to become chairman with Jagan as leader.

JANET JAGAN, O.E. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEECHES VOLUME 1

jagan.org

Janet Jagan was an outstanding and remarkable woman, a great leader and played a central role in Guyanese and international affairs. She was born in Chicago on the 20 th October 1920. It was there that she met the young Cheddi Jagan, a dental student from British Guiana. They married and Janet followed her husband to the then colony in 1943. What was significant is the fact that most people who migrated almost always go from a poor to a rich country. Janet moved from the richest country in the world to one of the poorest, and a colony at that. On arrival in British Guiana she, together with her husband, plunged into the social and political life in her new homeland. Early in 1946 she founded the Womenís Political and Economic Organi sation (WPEO) together with Ms. Frances Stafford and Winifred Gaskin. This gave expression to Janetís belief that women had to establish their equal ity with men. Later that same year, on November 6 th, 1946 she founded the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) together with Cheddi Jagan, Ashton Chase and Joslyn Hubbard. The PAC was the forerunner to the Peopleís Progressive Party (PPP), which was founded in January 1950. Janet was its first General Secretary and the first editor of its official organ, Thunder. Janet Jagan dedicated herself totally to promoting the welfare and inter ests of the Guyanese people. In her long distinguished career she led from the front. She was the first woman to contest elections in Guyana. In 1947 she contested for a seat in the legislative council and narrowly lost. In 1951 she became the first woman to be elected a member of the Georgetown Town Council. In 1953, she was among the first women to be elected to Parliament; the other two were Jessie Burnham and Jane Phillips Gay. Janet became the Deputy Speaker of that Parliament. That made her the first female to hold that position. That was a challenging period in our history. Janet Jagan faced many difficulties. The colonial power tried slandering her and eventually sent her to prison for her political activities. Janet, however, was am extremely strong person. She faced those diffi cult years and fought heroically for the unity of the Party as she fought to defend the people. In 1957, Janet became a Minister of the PPP Government. She held that position until 1961. Her stint as Minister of Labour, Health and Housing is still remembered to this day. She expanded health services to almost every part of our country. She began the housing drive and many schemes stands today as monuments to her labour of love.

Janet Jagan elected president of Guyana

jwa.org, Dec 15, 1997

On December 15, 1997, Janet Jagan was elected President of Guyana, making her the first American-born woman to be elected president of any country. Although she had been involved in the country's governance for over half a century, she was only elected president after her husband's death. Jagan is considered by many in Guyana to be the mother of the nation. A documentary film, Thunder in Guyana, has been made about her life.

Jamaica Gleaner News - Former Guyana president, Janet Jagan, dead at 88 - Sunday | March 29, 2009

mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com, Mar 29, 2009

Former Guyana president, Janet Jagan, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital early yesterday. Government sources said she died after suffering an abdominal aneurism. Jagan, 88, was the only woman and fifth person to hold the highest political office in the country. She was the wife of former president, Cheddi Jagan, who was president from 1992 until 1997. The former first lady was appointed as prime minister following her husband's death in 1997. She then served as president, having led the People's Progressive Party (PPP) to victory in the 1997 election. She resigned from the post in August 1999 due to ill health. Honours A co-founding member of the PPP, Janet Jagan also served in various political and government capacities over the years. She was also the recipient of many local and international honours, including the Order of Excellence, the nation's highest honour; Woman of Achievement, award from the University of Guyana; and the Gandhi Gold Medal for Peace, Democracy and Women's Rights, awarded by UNESCO.

Source

Remembering Janet Jagan in Guyana Times, October 29, 2026