Lucille Seymour
“A great woman to follow,” my mother often said while I was growing up in George Town. She would say it louder, especially when her friend, Mr. Val Hurlston from South Sound, visited “Sybil Lopez, the South Sound Queen.” To us young women on Shedden Road, Ms Sybil was like a rock star, someone followed by crowds. She exemplified grace and sophistication.
That lady had class and was as beautiful as Gina Lollobrigida. She could match clothes and wear them better than Coco Chanel. She was an incredible dancer, especially Latin dances and waltzes. When she entered a room, it was with majesty and poise, just like a dame or princess. Yes, that was our Ms Sybil, an example for all young girls to follow.
My early connection with her came through my mother, who worked with Ms Sybil’s aunt, Nurse Annie Bush, at the George Town hospital. Ms Sybil lived with her aunt’s family. In those days, few women held government jobs, but Ms Sybil did. She was educated, knew shorthand, and was an exceptional typist. When she typed, her fingers glided as if on a piano. All of us wanted to be just like her. She was an exceptional woman. She played tennis, and we played, too. She made sure that the tennis court at the Annex was available for us to also play netball.
What an accomplished woman to emulate! She was born to be great, and everyone liked her. She made time for us and ensured we young women got invitations to prestigious functions. There was something special about this woman. She never looked down on us nor said we were too young to be included. Of course, she corrected us when she felt we were mis-stepping with manners, dress or meeting people properly.
When, under Ms Sybil’s leadership as a speaker, the Legislative Assembly brought overseas people for legislative matters, she made sure we assisted, and she groomed us on how to deliver with pride. She was like a Mother Teresa who looked out for us. She knew everybody and, at opportune times, made sure we understood them, too. Our great Caymanian mentor wanted us to be just like her.
I remember when Dame Hilda Bynoe, governor-general of Grenada, opened the Legislative Assembly. I said to Ms Sybil that I wished I could meet the Dame. She only smiled and, when the opportunity came, she introduced me to Dame Hilda Bynoe and the incomparable Dame Eugenia Charles, prime minister of Dominica. I remember her beaming with that graceful smile and predicting: “I think she will be a politician one day.” I was reminded of it when she spoke on my behalf at my first political meeting in the year 2000.
Empowerment
We followed in her footsteps and became Business and Professional Club members. There were opportunities to empower ourselves, and she knew how to empower others. She regularly kept in touch and gave me lots of hints on the business of parliaments for if and when I got there.
She accompanied me to receive my British Empire Medal in 1993. She said that day to me, “Lucille, you will do well in life. Keep working to help others be just like you.” Our interactions decreased when she moved to East End, but Ms Sybil never forgot to invite me for conviviality and a meal occasionally.
I admired Ms Sybil and saw her as a mentor. Knowing her and her closeness to politics helped me take that bold step and throw my hat into the ring. She was an excellent example for us. It was also good to have someone of that stature recognise us and ensure we walked in her shadow.
My mother was right: This South Sound Queen was a great woman to follow. Indeed, Ms Maud knew that she would become our heroine with her demeanour and love for country and duty. And today, we pause with a slight bow when we visit the Centennial Park. There is the woman who gauged us to follow her. Our South Sound Queen and Cayman National Hero. The memory of awarding her as a National Hero will be with me all my life. As the Permanent Secretary of Women, Youth, Community Affairs, Sports and Culture, I chaired the 1996 investiture ceremony for this virtuous woman to receive this great honour.
I don’t think I have had such an honour in my entire life. This occasion lifted me with a national feeling to do such an act for a phenomenal woman — a great woman whose shoes I cannot fill but one who gave me so many opportunities to be a nation builder.
Thank you, Honourable Sybil McLaughlin, MBE, JP. We shall not forget you. The generations shall hail you for encouraging and empowering others to be like you.
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