The Hon. Girlyn Miguel is serving her third term as Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of Marriaqua. She also serves as the Minister of Education.

Early life and education

Girlyn Miguel was born in Hopewell, Mesopotamia in 1948. Her early education was at the Marriaqua Government School from 1954, where she obtained her School Leaving Certificate in 1962. She attended secondary school at the St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, graduating in 1967.

She started her teaching career at the Richland Park Government School in 1967, then went on to receive her Teacher’s Education Certificate in 1970 from the St. Vincent Teachers College, and a Canadian Teacher’s federation certificate in 1971. She also pursued a course in Educational Administration at UWI Extra Mural Centre, SVG. 

Career

Mrs. Miguel has worked extensively as an educator with a career spanning 30 years.  She taught at Richland Park Government, Marriaqua government, and Belmont Government.  She was teacher-in-charge at St. Mary's R.C., New Propsect Primary, and Argyle R.C.  Also, she was Principal of Richmond Hill Government, Kingstown Preparatory School, and Sion Hill Government, her last post before entering active political life.

She has also been involved in many service clubs and organizations including Red Cross, Girls' Guide Movement, 4H Movement, and Good News Team - Works of Charity.

Mrs. Miguel first entered parliament in 1998 after winning the Marriaqua Constituency on a Unity Labour Party (ULP) ticket.  (At that time the ULP was in opposition.)   She was re-elected in the 2001 General Elections, which was won by the ULP.  On April 1, 2001 she was sworn in as Minister of Social Development, Cooperatives, The Family, Gender and Ecclesiastical Affairs. In February 2003, Mrs. Miguel was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, a position she held until December 2005 when she was sworn in as Minister of Education.

As Minister of Education, Miguel has presided over an Education Revolution in this country. She oversaw the unprecedented expansion in the investment in our school facilities and in the quality of teachers. She also oversaw the explosion of scholarships in this country.

On 14 December 2010 Girlyn Miguel was appointed as the first female Deputy Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In 2015, Miguel stepped down from active politics and did not contest a seat in the 9 December 2015 election.

Personal life

Outside of her ministerial duties, Sister Girlyn is active in the Marriaqua community. She's involved with the Marriaqua Cooperative Credit Union, the Marriaqua United Friendly Society and the Marriaqua Educztion, Culture and Sports Organisation.

A committed Christian, Sister Girlyn has been active in her church since she was 17. This includes service as a Lay Reader, Catechist, Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion and she's been involved in missionary work at Geriatric homes, prisons, hospitals and to the home-bound.

Girlyn Miguel is a widow and mother of four.