Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun

Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun is a St. Maartener who was the first social worker on the island, and founded the Department of Social Services. She was also the first female parliamentarian, having served under the Netherlands Antilles.

Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun
Member of the Cabinet of the Netherlands Antilles
MonarchBeatrix of the Netherlands
GovernorRené Römer
Personal details
Born1944/1945 (age 75–76)
ProfessionSocial worker

Career

Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun founded the Sint Maarten department of Social Services, while acting as the island's original social worker. She was elected to the island council in 1983,[1] and at the time was promoted as being the first woman to achieve that role, although Cornelia Jones predated her within the Windward Islands.[2] Gumbs-Vlaun also served as part of the Cabinet of the Netherlands Antilles. This made her the first Sint Maarten woman to be elected to a parliament.[1][3]

Gumbs-Vlaun was one of the founding members of the Mental Health Foundation in Sint Maarten in 2000, as part of a government initiative.[4] In 2011, she became a member of the Social Economic Council (SER) and was reappointed in May 2014. Gumbs-Vlaun retired in 2015 upon reaching the age of 70. The chair of the SER, Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet, praised the work of Gumbs-Vlaun, saying that she kept her composure despite the sometimes heated discussions that would be held at the council.[1]

References
  1. "SER bids farewell to member Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun". Sint Maarten News. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. "Miss Cornelia Jones First Woman Member of the Island Council". The Saba Islander. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. "Recognition for St. Maarten's first social worker: Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun: "Do it with your heart and soul"". Today. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  4. Fitzpatrick, Judy H. (29 October 2011). "A success story". The Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 5 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
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