WELL DESERVED: President George Maxwell Richards, left, and Humming Bird Gold Medal recipient Dianne Avalone Baptiste following the National Awards ceremony at President’s House,
St Ann’s, last night. Baptiste was awarded for her bravery in fighting off a bandit who attempted to rob her recently.
—Photo: CURTIS CHASE
“I will do it again.”
These were the words of Diane Baptiste yesterday, after she received a national award for gallantry for fighting off a gunman in defence of her daughters.
Baptiste was all smiles as she received the Humming Bird Medal (Gold) from President George Maxwell Richards at the National Awards Ceremony at President’s House, St Ann’s.
Dressed elegantly in a black and white ensemble, Baptiste received a round of applause as the medal of honour was pinned on her. She also received commendation from Prime Minister Patrick Manning and other dignitaries present, among them Government Ministers Colm Imbert, Kennedy Swaratsingh, Martin Joseph and Paula Gopee-Scoon. Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) James Philbert was also present.
Just three weeks ago, Baptiste, a housewife, fought off the gunman who tried to enter her house. She also played a key role in the capture of the criminal.
Last night, she exuded confidence and advised that all parents stand up for their children.
“Stand up for what’s right. Your children are first and foremost so come what may, you are going to have to put youth best foot forward,” she said.
Baptiste said children need to be educated from young so they do not turn to a life of crime.
“These guys need to be educated. You need to instil good values in your children from an early age. If you don’t have good values what do you expect them to project?” she said.
She was still a bit a angry when asked about the incident, “I was not afraid of him. I was mad. You can’t just invade my privacy.”
She added, “Parents, your children and family come first. Do whatever you have to do to protect them. I will do it again if I have to, no two ways about that.”
Baptiste’s mother told the Express she was very proud of her daughter.
“Sometimes you have children and you never know what happen. I am proud of her,” she said, adding that she thinks prayer and God gave her daughter strength to do what she did.
Am sooooooo proud of this lady, that words aren't sufficient to express. Sooo sorry that I couldn't have given her one too.
All the best to you Mrs Baptiste.
You are the main topic for conversation out here at the moment when the few Trinbagonians get together. Your testimony is like a breath of fresh air. Your story is very dear to us because even though we are not living the nightmare, all of us have family back home, and we are just tired of hearing about the one sided battles where the bad guy rides off into the sunset. Just looking at your facial expression I just can’t imagine that face getting angry, but one has to step inside your shoes to understand what takes a personality like yours metamorphosis into a "Flowerpot Assassin". May God continue to bless you and I also pray that those in a position to either change the laws or make amendments to existing laws that gives the “Shotgun toting” bandits the upper hand do what is needed to change the equation. The gentle man in question had nine (9) pending charges and under the current system he was walking around a free unchained animal distressing good people, had you not done what you did, you would have probably been his twenty-fifth (25) victim. The reason I arrived at that number Mrs Baptiste is because common sense will tell you that he was not caught every time he committed a crime. Something you should know is that in America they have something called the “Three strikes” when he had did what he did a third time, he would have spent the remaining time on this planet behind iron bars. Rule Lloyd C. Johnson US Army Retired, Germany
What a wonderful woman. Diane Baptiste is a credit to woman hood ( and manhood) world wide. With just a few more like her, crime would be eradicated, for the thughs would most definitely be afraid to tackle her. She deserves all the credit she has, and still is receiving.
Diane, I love you. As a Trini living abroad, I am proud of what you did to protect your children,and yourself. The title of the next calypso to hit the streets may be, "Do not mess with Diane"
Congrats to Ms. Baptiste. Well done and well said. Parents the world over should use her yardstick to mould our nations... We in TnT are very proud of you.
I am very supprotive of this woman who fought for her kids. Great to know you had the courage. God bless and be with you always. But lets be real... this deserved a National awar? There was a woman who fought for her dauughter not to be raped and both were chopped severly on the Daisy Rd.St Madeline. Why did she not get an award? The numerous women who fight abusive husbands for their kids to be safe what about them? These awards are just for anyone who makes the news as far as I can see. The thing is if anyone is about to hurt a child, it is a mother's instinct to defend.... thats natural.Rs2
I am very proud of you Ms. Baptiste. It is very seldom that I read news I am so proud of from the land of my birth. I do hope that you get nominated and eventually selected as 'Mother of the Year'.
(Ruthven Jackie Orlando, Florida).
Congrats to you, when I read the story I said you should be commended. The whole country should stand up and fight against these set of cowards who is making our country look bad internationally.The protective service with these bad seeds should be rid off, and not be paid with tax payers money.We hope you will be blessed and what so ever before you,you meet it with success.
tI sincerely hope that Ms.Baptiste would get a reward,(since the snake/culprit was already wanted).She may have saved the lives of other innocent citizens.She must then be deputized,(with a REAl BADGE and GUN,after training off course).She has demonstrated that she is qualified to "Protect and Serve". Other brave, intelligent,honest and reputable citizens in other areas should also be deputized,after training,(off course).These individuals must be volunteers.After all the options proposed to this Government,by citizens in the past,none has been implemented.I will still keep recommending,even though,it may still not may sense to implement,by the Government.As we see we are only locals(victims),we are not "highly paid foreign experts".It's better to try something rather than do nothing.Even "dumb" animals,know how to protect and serve there families.Aubert Modeste
God bless you.You did exactly what we all need to do,resist the devil and he must take flight bearing in mind this is true warfare.when God is for you who could be against you,you were fearless and in doing so had te victory in JESUS name.Amen.
OMG why did you bring religion into this? Did you ask if she was Christian? The woman was brave of her own accord based on her experiences in the past, and her strength of character. Please don't blame a 'devil' for the errors of humans. We have free will you know.
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