Elizabeth “Ma Pampo” Israel received the “Woman of Esteem” award last week at the Fort Young Hotel, from the “Woman of Great Esteem Award” organisation in New York.

Present at the ceremony were Mayor of Roseau, Cecil Joseph; Dr. Gerard Grell, Dean of the Clinical Studies at the Ross University and researcher of the lives of the Dominican centenarians and Reverend Sylveta A. Hamilton-Gonzales, Founder of the “Woman of Esteem” organisation.

Dr. Gonzales, who interviewed Ma Pampo before qualifying her as a “Woman of Great Esteem” spoke very highly of Ma Pampo and said that Ma Pampo exemplifies an African Queen.

Hon. Matthew Walters delivered the featured address, during which he said that the Government will consider the request of the Foundation to give Ma Pampo the highest national award.

It is hoped that she will soon be officially recognised as the “World’s Oldest Woman” and that this fact can be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

Mayor of Portsmouth, Julien Brewster received the award on behalf of “Ma Pampo”.

Also, a portrait of Ma Pampo was presented to Alex Bruno, Founder of the Ma Pampo Foundation from the crew members of the “Freewinds” cruise ship.

They also presented a portrait of deceased centenarian Rose Peters. The pictures were taken two years ago by the cruise ship’s camaramen. The portraits will be hung in the Roseau museum.

Back to top
Discuss this story on our Message Board!

Back