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Nourishing her roots

Work on Gov. Bush's Haiti Advisory Committee is a labor of love for a lawyer who emigrated from there as a girl.

By SHERRI DAY
Published February 25, 2005

DOWNTOWN - Hers is a classic immigrant story.

Guilene F. Theodore's family came to the United States from Haiti in search of better opportunities.

But even as they acclimated to life in New York City, they held fast to their homeland's cultural mores and traditions. In Theodore, they cultivated a love and respect for her native country that continues to guide her personally and professionally.

Six months ago, Theodore, a local lawyer, agreed to work on Gov. Jeb Bush's Haiti Advisory Group. The assembly of 17 mostly Haitian-American professionals includes doctors, bankers, businessmen and university presidents. Their goal is to make suggestions that will aid in Haiti's reconstruction in the wake of its new government and last year's devastating floods.

Along with her group, Theodore would like to see improvements in communications, disaster preparedness, the environment, economic development and security.

"Haiti's at a turning point right now," said Theodore, 48, a partner with the Tampa law firm Ruden McClosky. "As with any turning point, you have a chance of letting it revert back to the old ways. Or, if everybody pulls together, you can steer it in a new direction. I'd like to be a part of shaping that direction in whatever way I can from here."

High atop her wish list is the establishment of a clearinghouse that would allow members of the Haitian diaspora to donate services, goods or money to Haiti and feel confident that their donations will meet their intended use. Such an entity, Theodore said, would help ease concerns about the country's history of government corruption. It also would provide an outlet for ongoing contributions well after the advisory group delivers its final report next month.

Theodore joined the advisory group at the governor's behest in September.

"The governor appointed her because she knows Haiti," said Jacob DiPietre, a Bush spokesman. "She knows the culture. She knows the issues. She's a hard worker. And her law background brings a lot to the table."

Born in Port-au-Prince to an accountant father and a schoolteacher mother, Theodore overflowed with excitement upon learning of her family's plans to move to the United States in 1966. She quickly learned English and adapted to life in Queens, N.Y.

After high school, Theodore enrolled in Queens College, taking the first steps to a long-desired career in law. During a December visit with her older sister in Tampa, Theodore decided to bid farewell to New York's cold winters. She transferred to the University of Florida and graduated in 1980 with a degree in political science. Three years later, she finished law school and began a career that would take her from providing legal services to the indigent to the lucrative world of private practice.

Despite the long days she spends advising clients and preparing and reviewing legal documents, Theodore makes assisting others a priority. She and her husband, Charmant, who teaches Haitian culture at the University of South Florida, serve as translators for recent Haitian immigrants, help them find jobs and raise money to benefit their native country.

She spent 12 years working as an assistant Hillsborough County attorney. There, she inspired those who worked with and for her. "She's an unbelievably kind and gentle person, but yet a towering intellect, an excellent lawyer and a strong community person," said Barbara Twine-Thomas, a local lawyer and friend. "She's a very kind and loving person who truly loves people, who loves her country and works for justice."

Visiting Theodore's home in Carrollwood is a cultural experience, her friends said. She grows plants native to Haiti and makes herbal tea with leaves from her own mint and lemon trees. She also grows orchids and has a reputation for restaurant-worthy culinary skills.

Theodore, who is president of the Haitian Association Foundation of Tampa Bay, recently hosted a cultural evening at her home. Guests ate traditional Caribbean fare, read poetry and scoured books by Haitian authors. The gatherings are an attempt to maintain ties with other area Haitians, Theodore said. She also hopes the social events will endear her three American-born children to her heritage.

Theodore works tirelessly to change the public's often negative perception of Haiti. She wants other Haitian immigrants to join her.

"I have a vision of a blossoming new world in that area," Theodore said. "If we all have an opportunity to go back in there and work, then it can really go back to being something special."

Sherri Day can be reached at 226-3405 or sday@sptimes.com

AGE: 48

JOB: Tampa lawyer

SIDE JOB: Member of Gov. Jeb Bush's Haiti Advisory Group

HOME: Carrollwood

FAMILY: Husband, Charmant; son, Sebastien; twin teenage daughters, Lara and Arielle

IF SHE HAD MORE TIME: She'd garden or take piano lessons

ON HER BOSE: Classical music, new age

SPEAKS: English, French, Creole

FAMOUS FOR: Her chocolate pecan truffle mousse

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 09:35:09]