BELIZE CITY, Sat. Dec. 18, 2021– Over the weekend, Ann-Marie Williams held a book launch for her new book, Political Women in Red and Blue, which centers on Belizean women in politics. The book casts a spotlight on the lives of eleven female political figures in Belize, nine of whom are still alive. During her remarks at the launch, Ann-Marie said that it took her seven years to compile the information that she presents in her new book. She said the process of gathering information started with an interview she conducted with Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, the current Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous People’s Affairs. She further noted that she decided to write the book after observing a lack of representation of women and their historical roles in some of Belize’s historical literature, such as Assad Shoman’s Thirteen Chapters of a History of Belize:

“I didn’t think this day would come. Truly, I didn’t think this day would come. It has been seven years and counting – it has been an amazing seven years. The bad days were good, but it has been very challenging, very rewarding, so it’s a mixed bag. But I thought of writing this book when Assad Shoman wrote Thirteen Chapters of a History of Belize. Way back then. I picked up his book, and he wrote about different things in the thirteen chapters. I was kind of mad, because when he wrote of the nationalist movement, the women that I know that were in the nationalist movement from the good history that I got were not in the book. And then Back Talking Belize came and different little pieces came, and when former Prime Minister, Geroge Price, died and people were talking about him, I said ‘well, you know, the “bembe” women made George Price,’ but they weren’t talked about the way they should have been talked about, and I get madder. And I said, you know what, you either get mad, stay mad, get even or you do something. So, I decided, why am I waiting for people to write women’s stories and women’s history, when I’m standing right here? I could do it. I have the talent. If you know me, I have my research. When it’s time to do political analysis, I have all my research, and these are political women,” she explained at the launch.

Those featured in the book include Sylvia Flores, who was the first mayor of Dangriga, and who later became the first female area representative of the constituency in which that town was located, and the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. Patty Arceo was also highlighted for being one of the country’s youngest female deputy mayors of San Pedro. She also served as area representative for Belize Rural South. Faith Babb was also highlighted as the first Minister for Women’s Affairs, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and was additionally acknowledged for her work in Belizean youth development. Other iconic female leaders in Williams’ book include Lisa Shoman, Ambassador Joy Grant and Liselle Alamilla, a conservationist who served as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development during the Barrow administration.

Other female Belizean politicians mentioned in the book include current members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs; Hon. Tracy Panton, area representative for the Albert Division and Dr. Carla Barnett, who recently rose to the position of CARICOM Secretary General. The book also touches on stories of well-known national heroes such as Gwendolyn Lizarraga and Jane Usher.

The book launch was attended by a number of the women featured in the book as well as Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Patrick Faber. In her closing remarks, Williams thanked all those who supported her efforts to write the book and later said that she expects her book will be used as a historical tool for Belizeans to learn more about the women who had significant leadership roles in the country.