Officials in the Ministry of Agriculture recently gathered with family, friends, and co-workers of Genevieve Williams during an appreciation ceremony to mark her retirement after 39 years in the service.



Ms Williams had some advice for civil servants in her parting words. “...Don’t take government money when you do not work honestly for it,attend work early, don’t stay home and say you’re sick when you’re not, do the right thing, give your bosses the support...so that when you would have done your years, your retirement will be well deserved...” the veteran civil servant said.

A luncheon was held in her honour at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) on November 9.

Permanent Secretary Sharon Peters presented a certificate of service for Williams' years of “outstanding and dedicated service,” while Minister of State Chanlah Codrington presented her with a gift certificate for a five-piece Copenhagen patio set on behalf of the ministry. 

In delivering the toast, he wished her a “deeper relationship with God, good health and happiness” as she goes into retirement.

Peters meanwhile remembered Ms Williams for her “calm, dignified and hard working and helpful nature".

Years of Service
1972 -1977                  Clerical Assistant, Income Tax Division
1977-1984                   Junior Clerk, Inland Revenue
1984 -1994                  Senior Clerk, Inland Revenue
1994-1995                   Senior Revenue Officer, Inland Revenue
1995-2000                   Senior Executive Officer, ministry of Finance & Social Security
2000-2002                   Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Finance
2002-2002                   Assistant Secretary, legislature
2004-2011                   Senior Assistant Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary-Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment

Profile of Ms. Genevieve Naomi Williams
Prepared and Presented by Arica Hill, Environment Education Officer

If someone met Ms. Williams for the first time it would be easy for them to think that she is simply a quiet lady with a prim disposition. However, Ms. Genevieve Naomi “Willy” Williams has far more to offer than meets the eye. When I sat with her I saw the true spirit of a woman of great personal ability and a formidable work ethic.

Ms. Williams grew up in the Point and Villa area and attended the Princess Margaret School where she completed her LCCD examinations. Her mother found it necessary for her to also be instructed in typing and shorthand, and so she learned those skills as well. Upon leaving school Ms. Williams’ twin sister set about finding work. In one afternoon she found two jobs and so, in a slight case of mistaken identity, Ms. Williams began working as a sales clerk at Lolita’s.

This was her first job and it engaged her during the Christmas vacation. At the end of the vacation Ms. Aflak encouraged Ms. Williams to remain at the store, however ‘Willy’ knew that she was destined for much more.

Soon thereafter, she gained a secretarial position at Caribbean Atlantic Life, which was situated upstairs the present Harpers establishment. There she worked under Mr. Brian Gonsalves and continued to receive secretarial training. She shortly left at the behest of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Ms. Williams began her long career within the public service on May 1st 1972 at the Income Tax Office, then located upstairs of the Post Office. At the time, the Income Tax Office served as a means of collecting taxes from business owners in Antigua and Barbuda. They also issued slips to these businessmen which were used at the airport as proof that they were not in the Government’s debt.

Ms. Williams began as a filing clerk. She described, however, that when she first started working she looked at the cashier and thought “I would like to get a job right there!” And shortly after she began working at the Income Tax office she was given that same job. Even then Ms. Williams’ conscientious nature caused her to excel and indeed shine.

Ms. Williams remarked how she enjoyed her job because there she had the opportunity to meet many people; some kind and some not-so-kind. She regaled me with a story of how a former schoolmate of hers tried to swindle the government by giving a false name when he came to get his travelling slip. Unfortunately for him, Ms. Williams remembered his face and name.

Unfortunately for her he lambasted her quite publicly. But lucky for him that he did not touch her, because Ms. Williams’ co-worker stood next to her at the ready with a long piece of steel and said after the encounter “If he had only touched you Willy!”

The Income Tax Office later became Inland Revenue and Ms. Williams continued to shine. At Inland Revenue she was Secretary to then Commissioner Donald Edwards. During a time when her colleagues were sent off for training in Trinidad for six months, Ms. Williams’ true mettle was tested when she was thrown into a supervisory role in the Collections Department. It was there where here money handling skills were carefully honed as she dealt with the Cash Book and the balancing of ledgers in a department where the inflow of money was constant and heavy. And Ms. Williams loved it!

Having shown her skill and capabilities, Inland Revenue often loaned her out to assist other departments within government. Ms. Williams fondly remembered that her first ‘acting’ position was at the Ombudsman’s office, under Mrs. Lewis. There she met her dear friend Ms. Scotland. Little did they know that they would work together again at the Ministry of Agriculture.

After several years of service within Inland Revenue, Ms. Williams was eventually transferred to the Ministry of Finance on High Street where she served as the Acting Assistant Secretary. She specifically dealt with the Public Works Stores Department, Treasury, Advances and Barbuda. Again, Ms. Williams enjoyed her work, often finding herself in situations where more and more responsibility was thrust upon her. And though this must have been quite taxing, Ms Williams seemed to revel in the joy of always going above and beyond.

In fact, in recounting her experiences at the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Williams relished in the work ethics of her counterparts. Of them she frequently commented “They could WORK”, and based on the sheer pleasure in her face, one knew that she loved that most.

Throughout her career Ms. Williams was promoted because of her conscientious work ethic and attention to detail. Therefore, it would come as no surprise when she was promoted in 2004 to Senior Assistant Secretary and eventually Principal Assistant Secretary within the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Housing and the Environment.

During her tenure at the Ministry of Agriculture Ms. Williams encouraged the staff to work as she did; with careful consideration for their work and their customers. Time and again she mentioned that she enjoyed encouraging staff to go beyond their normal and ordinary duties, and extend themselves to find the rich reward in hard work and dedication.

Ms. Williams’ story is one that encourages me as a young civil servant and should bolster the resolve of all public servants; whether young or old, technical or administrative. Her legacy is one of professionalism. Her legacy is one of determination and tenacity. Her legacy is one of gentle humour and dignified strength. May her story encourage us all to enjoy and look forward to hard work! Thank you Ms. Genevieve “Willy” Williams!