A remarkable woman has left us
Debbie Jacob - Mark Lyndersay
WE have truly lost a queen – in body, but not in spirit. The death of Sandra Des Vignes-Millington, Singing Sandra, last Thursday evoked an immeasurable amount of sadness over the passing of a strong woman and dedicated calypsonian.
In her life, Singing Sandra provided us with a musical mirror that reflected the humour and pain that defines Trinidad and Tobago. She never lost her roots; she never lost her humility.
Sandra served as a mother and role model in her community and on the calypso stage, where she demonstrated strength and success. Through her dedication to the Morvant community where she lived, Sandra showed us that everywhere in Trinidad deserves love and respect.
Dr Rai Ragbir
CUMUTO/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir wants government to set up a comprehensive database of local cultural icons.
Ragbir said such a database would serve to honour these national treasures not only while they are performing, but as they grow older and need to be taken care of.
“It would provide crucial information on their health and well-being, he said, so as to determine what assistance can be meted out to them as they navigate issues of health, relative to the natural progression of ageing.”
Ragbir’s suggestion follows the death last week of calypsonian Sandra Des Vignes-Millington, Singing Sandra. She will be laid to rest on Thursday.
Tributes continue to come in for Singing Sandra
Friday 29 January 2021
File photo: Sandra Des Vignes-Millington better known as Singing Sandra after she was presented with the award of recognition at the Women of Substance show held at Little Carib Theatre on Saturday night. - Vidya Thurab
Tributes continue to come in from many sectors honouring the contribution Sandra “Singing Sandra” Des Vignes Millington made to Trinidad and Tobago, the region and the world.
Singing Sandra died on January 28. She was 64. She won the Calypso Monarch contest in 1999 and 2003.
Regional media, including the Jamaica Observer and Nation News, Barbados, also recorded her passing.
NWAC: Singing Sandra ‘echoed voice of the mothers, abused, poor and downtrodden’
“[…] Singing Sandra has left a great legacy in the calypso world as one of the most powerful female calypsonians to date. Her style of calypso was able to highlight the issues, concerns and hardships of women to the nation and the world at large.
“Through her music, she echoed the voice of the mothers, the abused, the poor and the downtrodden, resonating their experiences and their stories with all who heard her music…”
Photo: Late former Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra.
The following press statement on the passing of two-time Calypso Monarch Sandra ‘Singing Sandra’ Des Vignes-Millington was submitted to Wired868 by the National Women’s Action Committee (NWAC):
NACC: Two-time Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra was a national treasure
“[…] Sandra Des Vignes-Millington is among only three female calypsonians to have won the National Calypso Monarch title and the only one to have won it on two occasions.
“Singing Sandra will long be remembered, not only for her commitment to the art form, but even more so for the commitment and sterling support and guidance she has given to the younger, particularly female, artistes in the fraternity…”
Photo: Former Calypso Monarch Sandra “Singing Sandra” DesVignes.
(Copyright Sokah to Soca)
The following press statement on the passing of former Calypso Monarch Singing Sandra was submitted to Wired868 by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC):