TRINIDAD and Tobago’s 63 years of independence are evident in the achievements of its women. In every field, they have turned freedom into action – breaking barriers and opening doors.
For Cheryl Bowles, biochemist and founder of the Cher-Mère skincare brand, who grew up in Woodbrook, at 12 years old, the first Independence Day was “unforgettable.” As part of the Tranquillity Girls’ School dance group, Bowles performed the joropo before Princess Alice, the Queen’s representative.
“For me, Independence was filled with a sense of pride, possibility and new adventure – the beginning of a journey not just for TT, but for young people ready to grow with our nation,” she said.
Bowles believes independence transformed opportunities for women, creating pathways once impossible. She saw it firsthand in her family.
“We were also surrounded by remarkable women role models in Woodbrook,” she recalled. “Audrey Jeffers, the first woman in the legislature and founder of the Coterie of Social Workers – of which my grandmother was a member, Cleopatra Romilly, who helped shape the Ministry of Community Development; Beryl McBurnie, who gave us the Little Carib Theatre, and more.”
These pioneers, she noted, demonstrated independence was not only political, but also independence of thought, career and community leadership.
Bowles admitted her own journey was not without challenges. She recalled being denied a job simply because of her gender, but later breaking barriers as Nestlé’s first female chemist manager.
“There were some doubts about my ability as a chemist – but results quickly silenced them,” she said.
With resilience, she went on to establish Cher-Mère, navigating hurdles in financing and perception to build one of the Caribbean’s most respected skincare product lines.
Bowles observed that free education opened the door for women and girls to enter fields once closed to them, creating real empowerment and opportunity.
She highlighted her co-authorship of The Ladder We Ascend by the Waldron family, which chronicles aspects of the journey of women in her family before and after independence.
While she acknowledged that women have made considerable progress in leadership and entrepreneurship, pointing out that TT has seen women rise to the roles of president and prime minister, she also noted that challenges remain to achieving full equity. Bowles emphasised the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) programmes in helping the next generation of girls see themselves as innovators and leaders, fuelling future growth.
Her message to young women is: “Independence is about possibility – the freedom to dream and the courage to act. Value your education, trust your voice and know that every step you take shapes not only your future, but the future of our nation.”
Article credited to: BAVINA SOOKDEO
Trinidad Newsday - Sunday August 31, 2025