As the University of Guyana (UG) gears up for its 2024 Convocation ceremonies, two women who embody perseverance are set to walk the graduation stage.
Jean Hanoman and Franka Thomas who have been featured on UG’s Facebook page, “challenge societal norms and expectations” the university said, and will graduate with distinction. Both have earned bachelor’s degrees; Hanoman in Inter-national Relations and Thomas in Public Management.
Hanoman, who is in her mid-60s, told UG that she faced skepticism when she decided to pursue her degree. According to the article, people asked her if she was mad, because of her age. But education was not just a personal goal; it symbolized a triumph over historical oppression, she told the interviewer. “The tears and sacrifices of our grandmothers and mothers paved the way for us to stand tall, proud, and empowered,” she was quoted as saying. Her journey, the article stated, served as a powerful reminder that learning is a lifelong pursuit, irrespective of age.