Queen’s College marks 50 years of welcoming girls

Oct 26, 2025 News, Waterfalls Magazine

---

Queen’s College has marked 50 years since the school first welcomed its first batch of female students. To commemorate the momentous occasion, the school’s Old Students Association (OSA) hosted a series of event to highlight the resilience, legacy and quiet triumphs.  QC-OSA Executive Member and Immediate Past President, Pauline Chase said events include exhibitions, flashback-themed activities, a virtual panel discussion and a grand tea party at Austin House for the women.

The events kicked as OSA and Queen’s College led the celebrations in grand style with their opening ceremony and exhibition at the college’s campus off on October 17, last. The opening ceremony saw a powerful march past by fifty girls presently attending Queen’s College, representing the fifty years of girls in the college. Musical, dance and spoken word performances were also delivered by students and teachers.

 

The event was aimed at displaying the rich legacy and contribution of the women of Queen’s College.

The ceremony focused heavily on recognizing and celebrating the first cohort of girls, the opening ceremony saw in attendance six women from the class of 1975, the first girls of Queen’s College: Yvonne Nelson, Kathleen Henriquo, Margot Forde, Rosel Menezes, Susan Blair and Christine Thompson, who were symbolically presented with bouquet of flowers.

The programme which was chaired by Alumna, Ms. Ambika Ramraj, and opened by Deputy Headmistress of Queen’s College Ms. Candaice Cave-Stephen saw in attendance Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Waldron, Minister of Human Services and Social Protection, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, all alumnae of Queen’s College in addition to  Junior Minister of Labour Mr. Keoma D. Griffith.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and alumna of Queen’s College, Priya Manickchand delivered the feature address highlighting the importance of the celebrations.

She noted that Queen’s College women have spread their wings globally, dismantling the stereotypes traditionally associated with women and the curriculum which sought to reinforce their stereotypes.

She asserted the fact that the entry of girls in Queen’s College created increased the competitiveness in the school, postulating it to greater heights both in academics and extracurricular.

Mr. Devindra Kissoon, President of QC-OSA delivered remarks on behalf of QC-OSA, while Ms. Donna Isles-Lewis, Principal of Queen’s College delivered remarks.

Ms. Chase, Immediate Past President of QC-OSA, highlighted the contributions of the sponsors and thanked them. She also stressed the importance of record keeping, which she stated is of grave importance, not to be boastful but to be inspirational.

As part of its ongoing celebration of fifty years of girls at Queen’s College, QC-OSA on the 17th October 2025, unveiled a commemorative plaque at Queen’s College, which bears the names of the 1975 cohort of Queen’s College girls.

Christopher Belfield, Vice-President of The Queen’s College Old Students’ Association highlighted the importance of the first cohort of girls of 1975, alluding to the fact that they shattered the glass ceiling, while paving the way for future generations of women in Queen’s College.

He noted that the entrance of girls in Queen’s College postulated the college’s culture, leading to increased competitiveness and historic achievements in both academics and extracurricular.

To witness this historic gesture, Dr. Ruth Bernard-Quaicoe, Ms. Margot Ford, Ms. Susan Blair, and Ms. Rosel Mezes, all alumna of the 1975 first cohort of girls were present. Ms. Chase, in addition to Ms. Larissa Wiltshire, Executive Member of QC-OSA was also present. Alumna Yvonne Nelson of the 1975 class also visited the plaque after the unveiling.

On October 18, 2025, the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association together with the women of Queen’s College hosted an enlightening online panel discussion in celebration of 50 years of co-education at the College. The session brought together alumni who shared vivid recollections of the transformative years that marked the introduction of girls to Queen’s College.

Ms. Michelle Foster graciously opened the evening by welcoming participants and introducing the theme “HERSTORY,” which highlighted the courage, resilience, and achievements of the pioneering girls who entered an environment once unfamiliar to them.

Former Headmaster, Mr. Clarence Trotz, delivered opening remarks that reflected on the privilege and honour of being part of the College’s enduring legacy and acknowledged the lasting impact of co-education on its growth.

The first panel discussion commenced with moderator Ms. Karen Wharton, who welcomed panelists Ms. Shondel Nero, Ms. Murphy Newton, Ms. Corinne Locke, and Ms. Nadia Ramdin.

Together, they shared engaging stories of their earliest experiences at Queen’s College, recalling moments of challenge, discovery, and triumph as they paved the way for future generations. Ms. Wharton later welcomed male panelists Mr. Dr. Ronald Chase, Mr. Tony Harris, and Mr. Hugh Hamilton, who offered thoughtful perspectives on the inclusion of girls and the ways it reshaped the culture and camaraderie of the school.

The event was further enriched by a powerful spoken-word performance by alumni Ms. Akeelha Harding and Ms. Suriya Walcott, whose artistry captured the essence of strength and unity that defines the Queen’s College spirit.

The second panel discussion featured Ms. Sheridan Dyal, Ms. Alissa Trotz, Ms. Desa Philadelphia, Ms. Nikita La Cruz, and Ms. Latchmie Rahamat, who reflected on what it means to be a girl at Queen’s College today, strong in intellect, steadfast in purpose, and inspired by those who came before.

The evening concluded with an interactive question and answer segment and closing remarks by alumna Ms. Larissa Wiltshire, who expressed gratitude to all participants and attendees.

The panel served as a commemoration of history and as a reminder of the remarkable progress achieved through perseverance, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence, qualities that continue to define the Queen’s College community.

On August 5, 1844, Queen’s College was established as a grammar school for boys. The college survived as a ‘boys’ only institution for more than one hundred and thirty years. That is, until September 15, 1975 when more than one hundred and forty girls entered the hallowed halls as part of the implementation of co-education in Guyana.

Since then, Queen’s College girls have gone on to inextricably weave themselves into the fabric of the college, enhancing its tradition, legacy and unparalleled record of excellence. (Source: QC OSA Facebook page)

---

• Kathleen Henriquo, Margot Forde, Old Student’s Association, Queens College, Rosel Menezes, Yvonne Nelson

---