Singing Sandra, the Trinidadian artist who became the first woman to win the Calypso Monarch title twice in that country, is being hailed as a trailblazer by colleagues and politicians. 

She died in Trinidad and Tobago on January 28 at age 64. No cause of death was disclosed. 

Trinidad and Tobago's culture minister,  Randall Mitchell,  said Sister Sandra epitomized the message-oriented Calpysonian with songs like "Die With my Dignity" which blasted male employers who sought sex from their female workers. 

“Singing Sandra was true to her word and as we mourn her passing, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in general, and the cultural fraternity, in particular, will always be thankful for her contribution which has made us a richer nation,” Mitchell observed in a statement. 

Barbadian soca star Alison Hinds recalls finding a willing mentor in Singing Sandra when she started her career. 

“It was her, Denyse Plummer, Calypso Rose and Francine, they all gave me their support. I was the first female soca star that there was and she has always been like that motherly figure, she really was like a mum. When you are around her you knew you were learning something, you were going to have an experience with her you wouldn’t have with anyone else. She was down to earth and easy-going," said Hinds. 

"Die With my Dignity" was just one of the songs that established Sister Sandra. Released in 1987, it was a hit throughout the Caribbean and became a rallying cry for women who were victimized by male bosses. 

In 1999, Sister Sandra became the second woman (after Calypso Rose) to win the vaunted Calypso Monarch title. She repeated the feat in 2003.

Written By Howard Campbell