Woman out to score a first

Margo Durant-Callender has her eyes set on creating history when the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) holds a nomination to elect a candidate to contest the next general election in the Christ Church East constituency next SundayBarrow Jessica 5/29/10 , June 6.  Durant-Callender, wife of Wendell Callender, former Member of Parliament for Christ Church East, is confident that she will be elected to be the first woman to represent the BLP in that constituency. History may also be created should she be successful at this nomination and proceed to win the seat at the next general election. This would be the first time a husband and wife have represented the same constituency in Barbados.In response to a recent article in which Dalton Tyrone Lovell asserted that neither she nor Wilfred Abrahams had done justice when they both addressed the branch, Durant-Callender expressed great surprise.“Mr Lovell was not at that meeting and was misled or chose to put forward a totally inaccurate position. I clearly outlined my background and my suitability for consideration in addition to outlining my plans for the area in a 20-minute presentation which the candidates were allowed. Lovell was not a declared candidate for the constituency at that time and was widely expected to be running for the Christ Church East Central riding until Desmond Sands, son of former Member of Parliament, the late Duncan Carter, expressed an interest in contesting the nomination for that constituency,” she said.Durant-Callender told the SUNDAY SUN she was happy that the executive of the branch invited her to address them at the executive level and at the branch level and was heartened by the overwhelming response and encouragement she had attracted as a result of those presentations. She said she was looking forward to addressing what is expected to be a large gathering at the nomination at St Christopher Primary School. All nominees will be making ten-minute presentations.Durant-Callender, an educational administrator, is a member of the Bynoe/Bourne clan of Silver Sands and the wider Christ Church East constituency, and has been involved in community work within the constituency, the parish of Christ Church, and nationally. She is at present deputy chairperson of the Christ Church Parish Independence Committee and has previously served as Parish Project Co-ordinator, attendant, and secretary. A former long-standing member of Sing Out Barbados and a recording artiste, she served as secretary of the United Artistes of Barbados. (WG)