June 2003

JEAN  COGGINS DATE OF BIRTH: June 23, 1923 PLACE OF BIRTH: ..., Trinidad EDUCATION: ... CAREER:                                 Coggins began her dancing career in 1939 alongside budding legends Boscoe Holder and Beryl McBurnie. In 1959, she was the recipient of a dance scholarship which took her to Cuba; France; Haiti; London, England; New York, USA; and Puerto Rico. She was a founding member of the National Dance Association of Trinidad & Tobago (NDATT) and, in 1977, represented Trinidad & Tobago at the second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) in Lagos, Nigeria. She led the Jean Coggins Dance Company in international appearances in Barbados, Canada, and Cuba. AWARD: 1985 - Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver (for Dance) Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit