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Valerie Gordon
Interviewed by : Anne Janice-Farray
It is with great pleasure that we present to you Valerie ( Val ) Gordon-Williams , a woman of great accomplishments and a perpetual community builder and leader . Val has been engaged in community development starting at a young age in Grenada and now in Quebec , Canada .
Valerie Gordon-Williams was born and raised in Grand Bras , St . Andrew ’ s , Grenada . Her professional life began before age 18 , teaching at the St . Joseph ’ s Convent in Grenville , Grenada , and preparing students for the UK based General Certificate Examinations . She went on to achieve the University of the West Indies School of Education Trained Teachers Certificate at the Grenada Teachers College and graduated at the top of her class . This earned Val selection as the National Program Coordinator of the Centre for Popular Education ’ s Adult Literacy Program . This Program taught over 4000 adult learners to read and write using 1500 volunteers , between 1980 to 1982 . In preparation for this assignment , she was trained and coached directly by renowned Brazilian Popular Educator , Paulo Friere . Later she served as Executive Officer in Grenada ’ s Foreign Service for four years , including being posted at the embassy in Cuba .
It was felt that the best way to get a broader knowledge of who this intelligent , vibrant , articulate individual is by way of a Q & A engagement … in her own words .
Q : When posed the question “ who is Valerie Gordon-Williams ”, what is your response ?
A : A “ country girl ” and mother , at heart who treasures being able to span life from deep rural country in a tiny Caribbean Island nation , to the expanses , diversity and wealth of the metropole . A people person whose spirituality is pivotal to her life , having overcome what many still express as being awe inspiring , in her journey . She exemplifies resilience from the dark days of the demise of the Grenada revolution to building her life as a successful single mom .
Professionally , she is an award-winning Results Oriented Project Management professional , with the unique advantage