Elma Francois is a Caribbean political and social justice figure of considerable stature. She was born in St Vincent and grew up in the political ferment of Trinidad & Tobago. Elma Francois was commited to the problems and aspirations of the working class , the unemployed and the poor. She fought against white colonial racist rule. She was the founder and principal leader of the Marxist-oriented Negro Welfare Cultural and Social Association (NWCSA). They organised the unemployed, fought for the interests of small traders, celebrated Emancipation Day of the Africans from slavery. With Uriah “Buzz” Butler’s workers movement they organised and led the 1937 General Strike and insurrection in Trinidad. NWCA’s internal policy was one of gender equality and the full participation of women members in their activities. This is a carefully chronicled and analysed study by Rhoda Reddock of the work of Elma Francois just as she was beginning to be recognised once more. In 1987 Elma Francois was proclaimed a National Heroine of Trinidad & Tobago

By: Rhonda Reddock

Published by: New Beacon Books

ISBN: 9780901241801