About the Honourable Pennelope Beckles
Pennelope Beckles has held many designations and been addressed by many titles in her service to Trinidad and Tobago; Honourable Minister, Her Excellency and Deputy Speaker to name a few. Despite her many accolades resulting from a distinguished political career and impactful contributions to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, there is one name that takes precedence; Penny.
Beckles has answered to the name ‘Penny’ from as early as she could remember and throughout her public life continues to be known by the affectionate nickname. Over the years this family name has come to be representative of her open personality, down-to-earth nature and propensity to make herself available to those she serves.
Penny stands as a dynamic and influential leader in Trinidad and Tobago, with a career spanning law, finance, politics, and international relations. The daughter of a trade unionist father and ambitious mother, she grew up in the small rural village of Borde Narve. Her father Lionel Beckles was an avid reader who instilled in his children the significance of having an education. Penny graduated from St. Raphael’s Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent, both located in San Fernando and went on to attain a Bachelor of Laws degree with honours from the University of the West Indies.
In the late 70’s the Beckles family moved to Santa Rosa, a middle-classed community in the constituency of Arima. As the family became rooted in the community Penny, who was now a teenager, became very active in sports and community service. Launching into politics in 1992 at the age of 31, she represented her district of Pinto/ Santa Rosa as the Local Government Representative and in 1995 entered the parliament as an Opposition Senator.
Penny rapidly made history by becoming the first female Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007. She went on to serve as the Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate in the 10th Parliament between June 2010 and December 2013. As a trusted and well respected member of the People’s National Movement, her ministerial portfolio is as varied as it is impressive, spanning Housing and Urban Development, Public Utilities and the Environment, Culture and Tourism, to Social Development.
She has been a vocal advocate for smart, sustainable urban development in alignment with the nation’s Vision 2030. Her influence stretches to the global stage, having served with distinction as Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Co-Chair President of the Executive Board of UN Women, and as Vice President of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Her governance extends to both the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank where she sits as governor. She is also a central liaison for United Nations bodies, orchestrating technical cooperation and spearheading European Union development initiatives.
As a woman in politics, a wife and a mother, Penny is a fervent advocate for gender equality, and youth empowerment, particularly championing women in STEM. She is passionate about culture, the arts and sports and can often be found actively supporting community projects across Trinidad and Tobago.
Penny’s diverse background and experiences have not only shaped her global leadership acumen but it is what drives her dedication to national progress.