| Gabrielle was
born in the republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the 26th June 1984. She
is the oldest of her three siblings who are Heidi, Joshua and Sophie Walcott.
She attended St. Bernadette’s Primary School, Providence
Girls Secondary School, The University of the West Indies School of Continuing
Studies, The University of West Indies and later pursued acting and theatre
arts at HB Studios in New York, United States.
An experienced Equestrian Show Jumper, Gabrielle also
took up hobbies such as dance, yoga, Pilates, photography, hockey, art
and has always had a passion for acting and theatre. She is a long-time
member and supporter of the Trinidad & Tobago Society for Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals, (the TTSPCA), and claims to have rescued 10 stray
dogs and cats.
Life has not always been easy for Gabrielle; two younger
sisters, Bernadette and Therese (twins), died shortly after childbirth.
Later she lost her maternal aunt to breast cancer, which she says sparked
her interest in working with cancer related charities and organisations.
Recently, she and her sister Heidi were held up at gun
point - a very traumatic experience which left her with a greater appreciation
for the close ties in her family. In a 2008 interview when asked about
the experience she said, “Never hesitate to tell those around you that
you love them. You don’t know when the last opportunity will be. Material
things can be replaced and essentially mean so little when you have your
life and the ones you love.”
Gabrielle currently works closely with the Just Because
Foundation, a non-profit community-based organisation founded by Chevaughn
Joseph and Noel Joseph in honour of their son Jabez "JB" Joseph,
who died from a rare form of cancer. The JBF provides practical and emotional
support for parents and siblings of children with cancer.
Recently she has worked with Miss Trinidad and Tobago
Universe Anya Ayoung-Chee with the TallMan Foundation. The Foundation
was established for the empowerment of young people in underprivileged
areas.
In 2008 the Youth of the United Nations Group of Trinidad
& Tobago, (YOUNG-TT) asked Gabrielle and Anya, to be spokeswomen and
champions for the fledgling group. Both young women emphatically accepted
the challenge during their reign. YOUNG-TT is a youth NGO/CBO hosting
some 300-plus members ranging in age from 16-24 with the aim of advocating
the United Nations and the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGS) through
their demographic and networks. Gabby has been an active supporter of
the organisation and was the facilitator of their 2008 MDGs & Me workshop,
which brought together various stakeholders across the country to a discourse
on the state of the MDGs in Trinidad and Tobago with a particular focus
on youth. |
