Women of Other Faiths
Using common values contained in their respective teachings, women of all religious traditions can work together and collaborate in many areas especially peace building and women’s empowerment. Collectively women of all faiths can learn from each other’s struggles and histories, while showing support for women’s religious leadership roles worldwide. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting women of all faiths to be featured through our recommendation form.
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Janet Rosenberg
As a principal figure in Guyana's successful struggle for independence, she embodied the fight for the right of people to choose their own destiny.
Known For: Guyana's first female President
Dates: C.E.: 1920 – 2009
A.H.: 1339 – 1430
Faith: Judaism
Country: United States
About
Janet Rosenberg, also known as Janet Jagan, was one of Guyana’s most prominent political figures, and also the country’s first female President. She was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1920 to a Jewish middle-class family. While a student nurse at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, she met her future husband, Cheddi Jagan, who was of Indo-Guyanese origin. In 1943 they settled in what was then known as British Guyana, where they became involved in the political scene.1
Within her first three years in the country, Janet played a significant role in establishing a Women’s Political and Economic Organisation. She also organized domestic workers with the renowned labor reformer Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and was a leader in organizing the sugar workers’ strikes of 1948.2
In 1950 Janet co-founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) along with her husband. With the PPP she held various Secretary positions, and later served as the Minister of Labour, Health, and Housing, Minister of Home Affairs, and Senator. She also founded the Women’s Progressive Organization, which she presided over until her death.3
Following her husband’s presidential inauguration in October 1992, Janet became First Lady of Guyana, serving for six months as Guyana’s UN Ambassador. After her husband’s death in 1997, Janet was named President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. She was awarded an Order of Excellence (OE) by Guyana, and received the University of Guyana’s Woman of Achievement award, along with the Gandhi Gold Medal for Peace, Democracy, and Women’s Rights by UNECSO in 1997.4
In addition to her political endeavors, Janet penned several publications, including works on the history of the PPP and Guyana’s Rigged Elections. She also was the author of five children’s books and edited Mirror, the PPP’s newspaper, for nearly twenty-five years. 5
In 1999, Janet resigned from the presidency due to ill health. She died in 2009 at the age of 88.6
[1] “Janet Jagan, Chicago Native Who Led Guyana, Dies at 88,” The New York Times
[2] “Janet Jagan Profile, Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.
[6] “Former Guyana President Janet Jagan dies at 88,” Reuters.
