#Nassau, March 10, 2019 – Bahamas – Officials from the Urban Renewal Commission, the Department of Gender and Family Affairs and the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, saluted 29 female, urban community leaders from across New Providence for their contributions to community building, Friday, March 8, 2019.
The honourees included former and current Presidents
of the Urban Renewal Senior Citizens Association and women from the various
communities who: “have given dedicated and sacrificial services to their
communities”.
The Awards Ceremony and Luncheon took place at the
National Training Agency, Gladstone Road, and was held as a “significant part”
of the activities surrounding The Bahamas’ observance of International Women’s
Day.
International Women’s Day is a global observance that
is celebrated annually on March 8, in the 190 Member States of the United
Nations to highlight the achievements of women, while reflecting on the issues
and challenges that women and girls face worldwide.
The Awards Luncheon was one of several activities that
took place Friday. Other events included a number of school assemblies
facilitated by staff of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs; a Training
Seminar focusing on International Women’s Day, facilitated by the Department of
Gender and Family Affairs and hosted by The Bank of The Bahamas, and a
Mentor/Mentee Conference with Dame Janet Bostwick that was hosted by the
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force also staged activities
commemorating International Women’s Day on Friday. Events were also held in the
lead-up to IWD, Thursday, March 7. These included a Two-Day Signature Event
hosted by the National Congress of Trade Unions; an Informational Pep Rally for
Administrators, staff and students of The University of The Bahamas, and a Strategic
Stakeholders Luncheon, hosted by the National Women’s Advisory Council.
Friday’s honourees were selected from urban
communities such as Bain and Grants Town, Centreville, Englerston, Fort
Charlotte, Fox Hill, Free Town, Nassau Village, Pinewood Gardens, St. Barnabas
and Southern Shores.
The honourees were: Mrs. Iris Demeritte, Ms. Mary
Scott, and Mrs. Iris Ingraham (Bain and Grants Town); Mrs. Naomi Bain, Ms.
Prescola Roberts and Ms. Mary Ambrister (Centreville); Ms. Anita Miller, Mrs.
Geneva Rollins and Ms. Susan Hunt (Englerston); Ms. Hynah Beverley Major, Ms.
Eleanor Musgrove and Ms. Miriam Jones (Fort Charlotte); Ms. Sheila Knowles, Ms.
Miriam Roker and Reverend Julia Bain (Fox Hill); Ms. Phillipa Taylor, Pastor
Irene Russell and Ms. Paulamae Miller (Free Town); Ms. Patrice Wendy Morley,
Ms. Catherine McKenzie and Ms. Jennifer Rolle (Nassau Village); Ms. Shirley
Evans, Ms. Beryl Elliott and Ms. Mizpah Armbrister (Pinewood Gardens); Ms.
Vernice Paul ad Mrs. Muriel Thompson (St. Barnabas), and Ms. Lillis Ramsey and
Ms. Pearl Bullard (Southern Shores). Ms. Olive Collie was also among the 29
honourees.
Women from across a wide spectrum attended Friday’s
Awards Ceremony and Luncheon including those from the political arena, the
unions, community associations and a host of non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).
“Today, we applaud and salute 29 hardworking,
outstanding women of The Bahamas for their tenacity and strength. These women
have poured out their spirits, their love, their generosity and their talents
into urban communities here in New Providence,” Minister of Social Services and
Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell told the packed room.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to these women and all
matriarchs and trailblazers of our society who fought alongside their male
counterparts for justice and equality.”
Minister Campbell said Bahamian women have made, and
continue to make, contributions to nation building.
“We are justifiably proud of the many achievements of
Bahamian women in all sectors of our society and today we encourage all
Bahamians to join us in celebrating these accomplishments,” Minister Campbell
added.
By: Matt Maura
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Minister Campbell takes a photo with the first group of honourees at Friday’s International Women’s Day Awards Ceremony and Luncheon held at the National Training Agency, Gladstone Road.
Insert: Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell with honouree Ms. Miriam Roker from the Fox Hill Community at Friday’s Awards Luncheon. Ms. Roker celebrated her 95th birthday on International Women’s Day.