Judy Gravesande-Noel is a ‘Special Person’
Cancer Awareness Advocate and community worker…
By Enid Joaquin
Judy Gravesande-Noel.
The name Judy Gravesande-Noel is one that equates to so many things. However, three of those remain etched in the memories of Lindeners and even people throughout Region 10. These are sports, cancer awareness and the first-ever Father’s Day Awards ceremony.
Over the years Gravesande-Noel, a longtime sportswoman who represented Linden at the National level as well as abroad in many sports disciplines, has redirected her unlimited energy to help others.
Ask any cancer survivor, or their families and they would retell you with stories of how Gravesande-Noel, through his organization – Women on the Move (WOM) – helped to “move” him out of a place of despair and confusion to a place of hope and optimism.
This, she has been doing for two decades now with the help of dedicated members of the organization that include equally active young women.
WOM, with Noel as its Founder / member / Coordinator, hosted its nineteenth annual Cancer Awareness Walk, Run and Jogging in 2019. It was described as a remarkable achievement. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a motorcade was staged through the streets of Linden last year.
Gravesande-Noel began the Cancer awareness walk in Linden in 2000, after taking part in a similar exercise in Georgetown.
Reflecting, he noted, “Back in 2000 I came up with the idea of doing this event here after witnessing a similar event in Georgetown. I spoke to Gleneth Arthur, one of the founders of the organization, and she was excited about the idea, so we ran with it. ”
Gravesande-Noel said other women, including Camille Cummings, Wanda Richmond and Mayfield Taylor-Trim, later joined the team.
Apart from the awareness exercises, WOM lends support to survivors in tangible ways, such as hamper prevention and even assisting with the payment of costs for medical treatments.
Regarding her involvement in Cancer Awareness, Gravesande-Noel stated, “It was because of my compassion for people that I started the Cancer Awareness Walk, 20 years ago.”
He added, “Two of my aunts died of cancer, and this prompted me to do some research on the disease. That drove me to do something to assist those affected or afflicted, and so the annual cancer awareness event was conceptualized. ”
It started as a walk but later went on to include running, jogging etc., Gravesande-Noel noted.
He added, “Last year despite the epidemic, we were still able to pull it off with huge support from GTT.”
Our ‘Extreme Person’ (extreme right) with other members of Women on the Move.
With Cancer Survivor Eileen Wright (center).
ENTHUSIAST SPORTS
A sports enthusiast, Gravesande-Noel was the proverbial ‘potsalt’ back in the day. It certainly made its mark in this field by participating in all the sports offered at its alma mater – Wismar Christianburg High School (“Multi”).
“I was involved in table tennis, athletics, cycling, netball, volleyball and everything you could think of. I was very active in these areas and even represented the school nationally, ”he revealed.
Gravesande-Noel was also a member of the school’s steel orchestra, where he played guitar. An avid litigator, Noel certainly stamped her name, in the annals of history in “Multi”.
She would continue her sporting ways, even after graduating from school since she represented the foreign country.
Gravesande-Noel also shared her sporting expertise as a former professional at the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycling Club ”.
“That’s the name now … I was the first pro when we resuscitated the club, and whenever the Baker memorial is on, I still go there and do the commentary. I was involved in table tennis, when Henry Greene was president of the table tennis association in the country, ”he shared, adding,“ We had the Linden committee. I’m still involved, I hosted along with Pastor Sills and Derrick Packor. We are all trained Hockey coaches, and we trained as many kids as possible … one even became an international player, ”said Gravesande-Noel.
LINDEN MUSEUM
Gravesande-Noel proudly shared that he would have contributed greatly to the Linden Museum, where he once worked.
“That building they had for the museum, my initiative was to reclaim the building. I was the person who approached Mr. Sanctify and tell him the history of the building. He said he didn’t know but later donated a million dollars to the committee (Museum Management Committee) to start the museum in time for town day celebrations. He gave that money in 2006 to get the project started, ”he recalled.
Always ready to lend a helping hand.
She keeps a family close to her heart.
HUMAN MEN
The inaugural Father’s Day Award Show honoring men with significant contributions to the Mining Town was also a prestigious initiative by Gravesande-Noel. It was held on the Mackenzie Sports Club Field a few years ago.
“It was my brain child, as I felt it was about time for dads to be honored!” she suggested.
The welcome event has not since been held due to various obstacles. However, Gravesande-Noel is committed to continuing this event as soon as possible.
“It would be an annual event that we should all look forward to because for too long men … fathers have been ignored,” he lamented.
Gravesande-Noel admitted, however, that his biggest challenge right now is to attract a major sponsor.
When revisiting the event, he highlighted that honored fathers came from all walks of society and included those in education, religion, music, social work and sport.
Gravesande-Noel lamented that many men, such as Dennis Parkinson who would have done so much for the town of Linden and by extension Guyana, never received any great recognition, or a reward in recognition of their contributions.
FOUNDATION
The sixth of nine children, born to Edgar and Elsie Gravesande, Gravesande-Noel received her formal education at Mackenzie primary school and Wismar Christianburg (Multi) High School.
After graduating from school, he landed his first job with the Mayor’s Office of Finance and Linden Town Council. There, he made recommendations for a toll clerk to be installed at Mackenzie / Wismar Bridge, in 1978 and became one of the first clerks.
He gained employment with Guymine the following year and worked there in various Departments, including the Purchasing and Data Processing Departments.
Gravesande-Noel said that of all the Departments she worked in, her favorite one was in the Public Relations Department.
There, he anchored the program – “Focus on the Industry” – a weekly television program, which highlighted events in and around the boxing industry.
Gravesande-Noel was also integral to conducting company tours and assisting in the coordination and fulfillment of mega functions such as 25-year awards ceremonies,
Guymine and Mashramani games.
“During my career, I made it a point of duty or I planned in myself or in my mind, to upgrade my skills as often as possible, or when needed, so I was kept up to date with changing times and use of every opportunity I had in some studies. ”
Gravesande-Noel is also a community worker, trained social worker and Vice President of Topp 20 football club and a member of Debra Shipley-George’s care foundation – a cancer survivor base.
The group is currently involved in the care of some orphans in Hauraruni on the Soesdyke / Linden Highway. Gravesande-Noel is also known for making outstanding contributions to Pine Street Nursery.
“I am the patron of Pine Street Nursery. I was instrumental in securing the spot for them to build that school, ”he said with pride.
So it should come as no surprise that we at Kaieteur News are happy to recognize Judy Gravesande-Noel as a suitable recipient of our ‘Special Person’ title.