Sophie Redmond

port of harlem gambian education partnership

Sophie Redmond
Doctor and Keeper of the Culture
(1907-1955)
Suriname

Sophie Redmond was a doctor with her own practice in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. She often wore a koto, the African-Surinamese traditional dress. Her work was mostly in Sranantongo, an English-based Creole language.

Many called her datra fu pôtisma (doctor of the poor). She also gave advice on marriage, family, and financial issues. During her weekly radio show, “Datra, mi wan aksi wan sani” (Doctor, I have a question), she discussed health, hygiene, the household, and current social issues. She acted in and wrote plays, often using them to educate the audience on topics ranging from elections to blood transfusions. There is a street named for her in Paramaribo as well as a lecture series in Amsterdam.

“The picture of her that I used to create this image was a black and white newspaper clipping. However, I sought out to capture her tenacity and compassion to serve her community with colorful acrylic paints. She often wore a koto, the often colorful African-Surinamese traditional dress worn with a head covering called an angisa. I chose some of my favorite colors for her attire.”

- Artist Karen L. Jenkins

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