Odyssey, a powerful tribute to Frances Marileen Baptiste, popularly known as Lady Leen, will take center stage during this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations.
A stellar lineup of Saint Lucia’s top artists will perform this Saturday (March 1) at the National Cultural Centre starting at 8:30 p.m., delivering an epic showpiece that showcases the vibrant energy of the calypso art form.
Lady Leen, revered as Saint Lucia’s calypso queen, is set to commemorate a remarkable milestone-35 years in calypso.
This tribute is particularly significant in connection with International Women’s Day (March 8), a week after the show.
Recognized for her lively and impactful performances, Lady Leen focuses on a range of important issues, especially those concerning women’s rights. Her hit song “Women in A March” stands as a powerful anthem for gender equality, highlighting her longstanding commitment to advocating for women.
Over her 35-year career, she has dedicated herself to calypso, earning the admiration of countless fans and supporters.
In a recent media briefing, Lady Leen reflected on the challenges and triumphs of her journey, stating: “It’s been a journey-good, bad, and everything in between, but I keep going. Nothing’s gonna spoil my day at all.”
Her recent track, “Nothing’s Gonna Spoil My Day,” embodies her dynamic spirit as an enduring female artist.
Lady Leen expects Odyssey to be a defining moment that showcases the love and appreciation of her fans and fellow artists. She asserted, “Sometimes, after everything you’ve done, you wonder-do they care? That night will tell me.”
In addition to celebrating her legacy, she aims to leverage the event to support underprivileged individuals, collaborating with the Ministry of Gender Affairs to make a significant impact. With enthusiastic backing from the artistic community, there are already plans to establish Odyssey as an annual event.
Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, Minister of Gender Affairs, emphasized the importance of the event during a media briefing.
“We have partnered with Lady Leen and the Department of Gender Affairs to present a ‘Big Show’ where she will host one of her Legacy shows, celebrating with other calypsonians,” she stated.
Dr. Poyotte added, “This is a new initiative within the National Women’s Week of Activities, highlighting a Women Empowerment Celebration. We are also involving men in the dialogue, emphasizing their role in supporting women’s advancement and equality on International Women’s Day.”
The star-studded lineup for Saturday’s performance includes: Qpid, Sly, Ronald Boo Hinkson & Christa Bailey, Herb Black, Oshun, Black Pearl, Invader, TC Brown, Dezral, and Ophelia from Dominica.
This event promises to be a powerful celebration of women, unity, and calypso culture.
Lady Leen: A Saint Lucian Gem, Dynamic Performer, and Human Rights Advocate
Frances Marilleen Baptiste, known as Lady Leen, is a distinguished Calypsonian and a passionate writer and composer. She operates full-time in the hotel circuits of Saint Lucia, where she performs calypso, soca, reggae, and more.
At first glance, Lady Leen may come off as quiet and unassuming, but once she steps on stage, her vibrant energy and dynamic performance captivate the audience. She made her calypso debut in 1990 and quickly became a trailblazer by being the first female to reach the finals of the Calypso Monarch Competition, securing 3rd place.
That same year, she showcased her talent at the Queen of the World Calypso Competition in Dominica, finishing 6th, and earned an invitation to perform at the Pre-Labor Day show in New York.
In 1991, Lady Leen proudly represented Saint Lucia at Expo-91 in Antigua, supported by the renowned band Burning Flames. The following years saw her touring through St. Maarten, Dominica, and Antigua, performing alongside esteemed artists like Singing Sandra, Denise Plummer, and Natasha Wilson.
Her career continued to soar in 1993 with an invitation to perform with the United Sisters in Trinidad and Tobago, and again in New York. In 1994, she proved her versatility by becoming a successful finalist in the CBU competition, stepping beyond calypso to showcase her all-around singing ability.
At the Clash of Tents show in Dominica that same year, she earned the title of “Most Improved Calypsonian.” In early 1995, she achieved 2nd place in the Saint Lucia Calypso Queen Competition and showcased her talent at the first ‘Buy Local’ Competition, finishing fourth.
In September 1996, Lady Leen shared the stage with legendary Trinidadian calypsonian David Rudder at the National Cultural Centre. She maintained her remarkable consistency, finishing fourth again in Saint Lucia’s Calypso Monarch Competition the next year.
In November, she released her first Christmas CD featuring eight original tunes, making her the first female to launch a full-length CD of Caribbean music. That year, she received the Outstanding Achievement Award for International Women’s Day in Saint Lucia.
Throughout her career, Lady Leen has collaborated with many leading figures in the Calypso scene, including Singing Sandra, Crazy, John King, Calypso Rose, and Mighty Pe’lay. In 1999, she was selected by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board to represent and promote Jam Time 99 (July carnival) in New York.
In February 2000, she was nominated for the St. Lisi Par Excellence Award, marking her as the first Calypsonian to receive such recognition.
On January 21st, 2002, she was honored in Trinidad and Tobago for her exceptional contributions to women and the arts, particularly Calypso, in the Caribbean and internationally. She continued to excel, finishing fourth in the Calypso Monarch Competition that year and sixth in the finals in 2003.
Her song “Woman In March,” an anthem for women’s rights and empowerment, was chosen as one of the top 25 songs for Saint Lucia’s 25th Independence Anniversary Celebrations in February 2004.
On February 22nd, 2005, she received one of Saint Lucia’s highest honors, the Les Piton Gold Medal for her meritorious contributions to Calypso and the Arts. The staff and students of St. Joseph’s Convent, her alma mater, also recognized her achievements.
Lady Leen’s accolades continued to grow: on February 2nd, 2007, she received an award from the Castries Central (CCC) M.P. for her outstanding contributions to the Arts.
In October, she was recognized as the longest-performing female Calypsonian in Saint Lucia.
Her notable achievements include performing at the Fête Patronale Du Froncois in Martinique in October 2008, making the finals of both the Calypso Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions in July 2008, and celebrating her 20th anniversary concert in April 2010.
In March 2011, she was recognized by the University of the West Indies (U.W.I Barbados) with an award from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies for her exceptional contributions to the Arts.
In March 2014, she was featured in a pictorial display at the Central Library in Saint Lucia for her significant contributions to the development of the Arts.
On February 27, 2016, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Lucia House Foundation and the St. Lucia Consulate in New York.
In January 2017, she starred in the play ‘Twisters,’ further showcasing her versatile talent. Lady Leen’s journey is a testament to her talent, persistence, and unwavering commitment to the arts and advocacy for human rights.
Additionally, Lady Leen is actively involved in charitable organizations, including The Dunnottar School, which supports children with special needs and various disabilities.
As a passionate human rights advocate and a beloved performer, Lady Leen is recognized for her qualities that exemplify a “Powerful Woman” and is celebrated as a true gem of Saint Lucia.
[R.A].