Nina Jean-Baptiste passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, a few days before her 102nd birthday. She was among the 50 role models and inspiring women honored at the 5th edition of the ceremony earlier this year.

The Network of Haitian Women Role Models and Inspirers (REFEHMI), the Initiative and the Office of the United Nations Youth Organization of Africa in Haiti (BOJNUAH) extend their sincere and deepest sympathies to her loved ones, friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as to all those who are saddened by this loss.

A graduate of the École Normale, Nina Jean-Baptiste married at a very young age to a lawyer-notary, Ambassador of Haiti in Washington, then Chief of Staff of President Magloire, and Minister of Social Affairs and Youth. With her husband, she had 10 children. A seasoned teacher, she spent 35 years serving the country's youth.

A dynamic and committed woman, she experienced great trials with the advent of François Duvalier. Her husband was arrested, imprisoned, tortured and killed under the dictatorship. Finding herself alone, in her thirties, with her 10 children and other adopted children, she made the choice to "take up the challenge of living" and to make her children people of value.

Today, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to embody the values ​​she passed on to them.

Nina Jean-Baptiste continues to inspire us with her words : "Letting go, discouragement, negativity, lack of combativeness, easy living and lack of faith will never be the path to progress, success, achievement and well-being, no matter where we are."

IH/ iciHaiti