QUAW WILLIAMS was a slave living in Barbados in the early 19th century.
He arrived here at age 13 and was emancipated by age 37. Williams was also the first black man to become a sexton in the Anglican Church at St Stephen’s.
Williams’ struggle for freedom, education, social respect and equality was honoured yesterday at a special ceremony at the University of the West Indies.
A part of the university has been named Quaw’s Quest, with the unveiling of a monument depicting replicas of the ledgers recording the names of Williams and the 294 other slaves who were all emancipated after living in the area where the Cave Hill campus now stands.
The ceremony featured musical and vocal tributes, with speeches from UWI principal Sir Hilary Beckles; Professor Emeritus Sir Woodville Marshall; president of the Guild of Students, Damian Belgrave; and chairman of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, Professor Maria Gutiérrez. (CA)
