Stella Abidh

Stella Piari Abidh (1903–1989) She was the daughter of Clarence Carmichael Abidh, headmaster of the Canadian Mission Indian school in Charlieville, and member of the Legislative Council. Her mother died when she was young. She was educated at Naparima Girls' High School in San Fernando; a school established following changing attitude of Christians towards girls' early marriages. There, she was the first student to complete the Junior Cambridge Certificate, and later at Saint Joseph's Convent in Port of Spain. After rejecting the marriage arranged for her by her grandmother, Abidh became a schoolteacher.

Career Abidh is believed to be the first Indo-Trinidadian woman to become a doctor. Abidh served as the Medical Officer of Health for San Fernando, Corinne Averille McKnight, former ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, listed Abidh among a small group of "pioneer women of [Trinidad and Tobago]" and noted her contribution as a "medical doctor, great humanitarian, and social worker".

Personal life Abidh's relationship with labour leader Adrian Cola Rienzi produced several children but because they were not married, the children were given the surname Waugh and were raised in Canada.

Honours and awards Abidh was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) in 1988 and the Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) in 1971 and was featured on a postage stamp issued by Trinidad and Tobago in 1980.