Birthday of Elma Francois

Elma Francois was born on this day in 1897 in Overland, Saint Vincent, Elma Francois is remembered as a "national heroine of Trinidad and Tobago," and a "vociferous Africentric activist". She was known for her pro-trade union, anti-war and anti-colonial work. As a child she worked for 12-14 cents a day picking cotton. In 1919, she was forced to immigrate to Trinidad and Tobago for work. Triniview.com states "She was an avid reader, very conscious about her African heritage and loved nothing better than to engage people in debates. She was also one of the few people with the courage to challenge the Church and the authority of the bible." She was a founding member and Organising Secretary of the Negro Welfare Cultural and Social Association, a Marxist organization in Trinidad and Tobago. The organization organized marches for sugar workers rights in 1934, and a national response against fascist Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. Their organizing led to many dockworkers in the country refusing to unload Italian ships. During the Butler Riots of 1937, she was arrested and became the first woman in Trinidad and Tobago tried for sedition. She was found not guilty after defending herself. Today we honor Elma Francois and all the lesser known people who have struggled against racism and colonialism.