1990 – Trinidad and Tobago Elects First Black Female Senate President

On June 4, 1990, Emmanuel Carter, who served briefly as acting president, formally welcomed Joan Yuille-Williams as the first Black woman to serve as President of the Senate in Trinidad and Tobago. While often overshadowed by other political events, this moment was a significant marker in Caribbean political representation. Yuille-Williams had long been active in education and politics, and her elevation reflected growing recognition of Black women\’s leadership in post-colonial societies. Her role gave her authority to preside over legislative proceedings and guide parliamentary debates. This historic appointment underscored the importance of gender equity and African-descended women’s political empowerment in the Caribbean, where colonial legacies of exclusion had long persisted. Her leadership paved the way for other women in Caribbean governance.