Cox, Frederick

Frederick Augustus Salvador Cox (April 15, 1944–July 12, 2009) was a teacher, social worker, and lay minister who campaigned for sexual and reproductive rights, advocated for the preservation of the family, and worked tirelessly to encourage men to play a meaningful role in society. Born on April 15, 1944, in the rural community of Freetown, Pomeroon, Guyana, Frederick moved to the capital city, Georgetown, where he trained as a teacher and social worker. He contributed to Guyana’s social development in many ways, including as a principal (Sophia Special School), president (Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers), chairman (Medical Termination of Pregnancy Board) as the longest serving executive director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association and a lay minister with the Church of the Transfiguration. Apart from maintaining an active public profile and addressing various social issues, Frederick gained national attention hosting Social Work and You, a weekly radio program. His activism and contributions were such that in paying tribute to him on his death on July 12, 2009, then Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy told the media that Frederick Cox was an asset who would be difficult to replace. Indeed, since the passing of this consummate social worker, Guyana has not seen another male of his caliber assume a public role to advocate for sexual and reproductive health and women’s rights.