What do TnT women really want? - the profile series.

LLettesha Sylvester. She can sing...but she also has something to say.

A regal voice...

Meet Llettesha Sylvester. She’s a professional vocalist, a teacher, spiritual activist, and was born and bred in good old TnT. LLettesha has been singing for over 10 years, and studied voice and music under the tutelage of Mr. Jessel Murray, Dr. Charles Brunner, Mr. Eldon Blackman, and Dr. Vertrelle Mickens. In the recently concluded National Music Festival she was awarded four trophies, including the Jean P. Abdool Memorial Trophy for the Most Outstanding Vocal Performer.

This songbird has performed across the Caribbean, as well as at home in national concerts and for many well known personalities, including the Honourable Prime Minister, and President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Today, LLettesha shares her views with us on being a TnT woman.

WTTWW: How would you describe yourself?

LS: I would describe my personality as a pleasant one. My name means ‘peace’ and I think that defines my nature - accepting of life, and fully grasping and accepting the things in life I cannot change. Some people tell me I’m a happy- go- luckier and I invoke bubbly feelings, while others say I’m stern and assertive. I would add to my characteristics “free-spirited” as I fully express my inner nature outwardly and I feel happy about it. Reflecting your personality via all media is the only way to be true to one’s self. Not allowing circumstances to hamper my contentedness. Leave it up to me; if there were a trait caller ‘Liver”, I would have it.

WTTWW: Has being a woman of TnT help make you who you are?

LS: Being a TnT woman has helped me form a rock solid shell or protection. In this race one has to have some sort of successful defense mechanism in order to survive. Character is all we have! Against all the 'mamaguy', lies, back biting, this shell I’ve developed has helped my personality and character grow and has helped me view people and various situations from different angles and slants in order that my life will be a more pleasant and full one.

WTTWW: Is there one common thing that unifies TnT women?

LS: I cannot identify one thing that unifies TnT women. It’s a number of things that unify us. Am I permitted to speak on those? Lol. Generally I see one of those things as enduring hurt. That’s a big thing. The way I see it is that mothers endure pain caused from their delinquent sons; they endure the hurt from their cheating husbands or their selfish baby daddies. I mean, some persons would say that women bring this pain upon themselves… something still open for serious contemplation and eventually, resolution. On a lighter and more pleasant note, TnT women are also unified by their effortless beauty and simple elegance. The way we wear our hair and how we express and share our personality. The way we dress and the way we dance; all these unify us.

WTTWW: What do you want from career?
LS: What do I want from my career? One word: ENJOYMENT. I don’t see the purpose in going through the motions of an 8 to 4 and at the end of the day having no lingering thoughts of pleasure of the trail. To achieve this I know I have a great responsibility to the whole system. For example, I have to stay within deadlines so that everybody is happy. Seeing that I am also a musician; to get the best of that career I have to ensure I practice daily and try to accumulate no less than 10hrs practice per week.

WTTWW: What about love?

LS: What do I want from love: HONESTY. Love that is not true is the epitome of pain. Honesty and nakedness go hand in hand. Just be open to me; be real; bare yourself; your personality and true thoughts and I will be fine.

WTTWW: What are your thoughts on family life?

LS: What do I want from my present family life: UNDERSTANDING. Sometimes it’s hard for my family to fully grasp my current lifestyle and the path I’ve decided to take with my end goal in mind. In quest for musical perfection and in order that I may attain the experience I need to press on I’ve been engaging in strenuous and lengthy rehearsals and late gigs which to them at times may seem unnecessary, however, in my eyes they are essential.

WTTWW: What do you expect from our society?

LS: CHANGE. It is inevitable that society is going to change. Change is the only thing I can pray for to come soon in order that this sinful life and this sinful world can come to an end---- the day when my Saviour comes to take me home to be with Him forever. In the meantime, what I want from the government is TRUSTWORTHINESS. I want to live knowing that I can depend on the rulers of my country to ensure they do what they say they’re going to do when they say they are going to do it. I also need them to remember my needs and wants and work towards them. But it’s a give and take. To ensure I get the best from society I try to maintain an upstanding lifestyle that would positively contribute to the gross definition of society. To ensure I get the best from my government,  I share my wants as and needs as an active member of society.

WTTWW: What’s your personal philosophy for living?

LS: This past year I’ve been living by these two thought patterns I came up with. The first is “Put on Your Big Girl Panties and Deal With It”. Enough already with the damsel in distress helpless move ladies; it does not help. So what if you run into a situation that’s a bit tricky to untangle yourself from or you got beaten down to the core? Put on your big girl panties and deal with it, instead of moping around feeling defeated. I’ve decided to try being calm about whatever troubling situation I’m faced with. Let the world see that this beauty has brain, problem solving capabilities and good leadership skills. The second is “Become Yourself”. In order to attain identity do not look to others; you can find your true identity inside. Look to the author of your lives (Jesus Christ) for guidance and assistance in forming the true gem that you are. You don’t have to look far--- you have ideas and methods already within you. Just let them flow--- you be you. How will you be different from the world if you do not stand out and reflect you? Well, unless you want to be a clone of everyone else and not make your own a mark on this world; fine by me—have fun with that. But ladies; it’s fulfilling to become yourself; shine like the true gem you are and light up this world.

You can catch up with Llettesha via her facebook page, and through her singing group SOS, which recently won ‘Song of the Year’ at the Trinidad Gospel Music Awards. Find the group’s website (with sample songs) and facebook page here:  www.sosincmusic.com, http://www.facebook.com/SOSIncMusic