Paying Homage to Granny

Alison Morris

Posted on March 08 2018

This International Women's Day I want to pay homage to my Granny...

My Granny lived her entire life in Guyana, South America. She was self employed at a time when most women stayed at home looking after children. She started her own business which she ran into her late '80's.

 

It's her entrepreneurial spirit I have been thinking about today. For her generation, she's the only woman I know who was self employed. First, she worked in bridal styling. Then it was catering for functions and event management. In later years Granny started her shop in Stabroek market in the capital city of Georgetown. She ran her version of our pop up shop!

 

Stabroek Market Georgetown Guyana

 Stabroek Market (credit-Bo Lovschall)

 

Granny also ran a smaller grocery business for her local community at the same time. Everyone knew if they visited Aunt Vi's shop when funds were low, she would let them shop on account. Except they didn't always pay as promised. I've no idea how she managed to keep going, but she did. Her indomitable spirit always saw her through. 

 

 Granny in Beautiful Guyana

 Granny in Guyana (credit-B Morris)

 

There are parallels in the way we started our businesses. Mine was not a direct route either. I arrived at business ownership via the legal profession. From the moment I found myself spending an entire evening bartering over beads in a souk in a Marrakech, I knew I wanted to design and make jewellery. My obsession developed and I set up Veiled Rebel.

 

I hope Granny is proud I am following in her footsteps. RIP Granny.

 

 #InternationalWomensDay2018

 

More Posts

2 comments

  • Shaunna Farley: October 11, 2018

    I think I am in the same boat. Our grannies set the stage for us. #givethanks #homages

  • roz D: July 03, 2018

    A beautiful story and a wonderful example of #PressForProgress – which is what International Women’s Day is all about
    imjussayin

Leave a comment

All blog comments are checked prior to publishing

Join Our Gang

We'll use your email address to send you our news, offers, events and new collections. We'll never share your details with a third party. Please see our privacy policy.

Search our store