Long ago, Maria Bird-Browne denied public comments that she envisioned herself as Queen of Antigua and Barbuda.
That was before she became Minister of Housing and Public Works and Labour and Whatever Else she became with her Prime Minister and Finance Minister husband.
She issued a personal statement, posted on the ABLP Facebook page, saying that she was merely the wife of Gaston Browne, and implying that attacks on her are attacks on all women in Antigua and Barbuda.
Gaston has called her “Queen” on his social media since 2020, showing that the mentality has gone into his head that he has started a dynasty to rule our country as dictator-for-life.
The Housing Minister denied it from the start, but has gone along with it for the past six years. She is part of the problem. She should be telling her husband not to subject the family to rumours and innuendo.
Here is her post from March 15, 2014.
“This is Maria Bird-Browne, wife of the Honourable Gaston Browne, the Leader of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP).
“Last evening, Thursday March 13 2014, I overheard a broadcast of the Honourable Senator Joanne Massiah, addressing a public rally of the United Progressive Party (UPP). The rally was ostensibly held to celebrate women of the UPP, and to encourage all others to uphold and honour the women of Antigua and Barbuda.
“Yet, the Honourable Senator took the opportunity to abuse me, joining others in spreading lies and making untruthful claims about both my husband and me. Fabrications are unbecoming of a Senator and certainly ought to form no part of an event intended to undo the harmful prejudices and practices that demean women.
“The Honourable Gaston Browne, as the Parliamentary Representative of the City West Constituency, has shown the kind of compassion and interest in women that the UPP speakers were pleading for last night. He has offered scholarships to many women from his Constituency, and has come to the assistance of countless single mothers from all across Antigua and Barbuda. Gaston and I have a loving relationship, which reflects the quality of bonding that the UPP female speakers, last night, advocated among couples.
“While the UPP set out to elevate women last night, Senator Joanne Massiah seemed to have been doing her best to belittle those women who do not support her political party. It seemed almost schizophrenic and disingenuous. It is not possible for a people to be encouraged to hold women in high esteem while, simultaneously, the same women leaders continue to propagate and spread misinformation that is intended to degrade and to debase other women.
“I would encourage those who are seeking the support of the Antigua and Barbuda registered voters, more than half of whom are females, not to trample upon the truth or the sanctity of motherhood, in search of cheap political gain.
“The elevation of women in our society is not to be pursued only during an election campaign. Securing the rights of women and the elevation of women to leadership in all spheres, outside of the home, is a lifelong, cultural quest; it is not a seasonal aspiration.
“Thank you for your attention,
“Maria Bird-Browne.”
Leave a Reply