BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ACROSS the Federation there are women who have proven to be good examples for their gender to emulate. These women head several organisations and businesses but only recently the glass ceiling, which existed within the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, was shattered by Merclyn Hughes who ascended the ranks and became the first female to hold the post of Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Congratulatory remarks were given to her, and while SKNVibes lends its voice in congratulating Hughes on her accomplishment, this article aims on highlighting the example she has set.
Hughes joined the RSCNPF on December 1, 1979 at the tender age of 18 years and, although she had completed a number of exams, she did not begin ascending the ranks of the organization until some 15 years later.
She told SKNVibes that she remembers the accomplishment of Carol Williams who was the first female Inspector the RSCNPF had seen, and she remembers having her as her role model.
Hughes’ is a story of determination and defiance of odds. She explained that having gone to the Verchild’s All-Age School, she did not advance to the high school level because she fell just below the number of students who were allowed to do so.
She however did not allow that to retard or stunt her educational growth and took the necessary steps to advance. Admitting that she would have loved to achieve more academically, Hughes said she made the decision, having become a single mother, to channel her energy into ensuring that her children achieved what she was not able to.
“I did not go to high school because at the time I was going to Verchild’s All Age School and they were only accepting the first five into the high school and I think I came in the first six. And therefore I put myself through evening institute. I went to Mr. Washington Archibald Evening Institute. I did some typing, etc. with Ms. Farrell and learned the computer. And then I did a certificate in Public Administration at the University Center. So I didn’t allow a lot of things to hold me back. And I would have loved to go further with my education but my children came along and as a single parent I wanted to see them succeed and I therefore started to push my energy into making sure that they got what I didn’t get in terms of education.”
Having no plans to retire anytime soon, Hughes seized the opportunity to apply for the ACP position when it presented itself and indicated that she was delighted when informed of her success.
“The opportunity came, we were told that the positions existed and anybody could have applied, so I did. I went to the interview with a positive mind because I came through the ranks and I believe that once we are all given the right opportunity and justice is done, I went through. Quite a lot of persons applied for various positions…I was very pleased when I was told that I actually was successful.”
ACP Hughes would prefer if the spotlight were not shone on her but rather it be placed on the organsiation of which she is a part and the strides it has made to make the Federation a safer place to live, visit and conduct business.
She however acknowledged that just as she had seen the merit in emulating retired Inspector Carol Williams, it is hoped that some woman would recognize her accomplishment as evidence that all things are possible.
The nuggets of advice which she gave during the interview include: “Take the blinders off; don’t limit yourself, the glass ceiling has already been shattered; get an education; and have respect for others.
