Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – November 12th, 2026: Women making their mark across the tourism industry will once again have an opportunity to connect, share experiences and celebrate their achievements as Women in Tourism Caribbean returns for its second year, featuring Bahamian aviation executive and attorney Rexy Rolle as keynote speaker.

The event, scheduled for November 12th to 15th at the Shore Club, brings together women from across the tourism sector for an occasion focused on building regional sisterhood, mentorship leadership, and the contributions women continue to make to one of the Caribbean’s most important industries.

Rolle serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of Western Air, the largest privately owned airline in The Bahamas. An Andros native from North Mastic Point, she has played a significant role in the airline’s growth, helping to expand its fleet and route network, develop new business opportunities and introduce services designed around the needs of its passengers.

Her keynote address will be on the topic: “Behind the Lipstick”.

“Miss Rolle’s participation as keynote speaker adds a youthful dimension to the second annual Women in Tourism event, creating an opportunity for attendees to hear from a young Caribbean woman who has helped steer a growing aviation enterprise while balancing the demands of business leadership, professional practice and community engagement. One of the aims of Women in Tourism is to inspire the next generation of to evolve the tourism industry and I know Miss Rolle will certainly provide that inspiration,” said Mrs. Stacy Cox, founder of Women in Tourism Caribbean.

Mrs. Cox started Women in Tourism Caribbean in 2019 as a digital initiative we than 14,000 followers to bring awareness to and honour women driving the tourism sector across the Caribbean from housekeeping to the C-suite. In 2025, she decided to take a step further in developing Women in Tourism as a weekend retreat.

The first year saw a wide cross-section of women from the Caribbean and diaspora flying to the Turks and Caicos Islands to celebrate each other, network and create a safe space to share their challenges, vulnerabilities and achievements.

“As women continue to shape tourism through entrepreneurship, management, aviation, hospitality, marketing and destination development, Women in Tourism Caribbean provides a space to recognise their contributions and encourage the next generation of female leaders. I am excited about our second year and even more excited to take Women in Tourism to another island in 2027,” said Mrs. Cox.

Panel discussions for Women in Tourism Caribbean 2026 will centre around the following themes: “Caribbean Isms” and “Rooted Yet Adaptable”.

Speakers include: Brittany Braithwaite (Barbados), Phoebe Pereira (Trinidad), Charmaine Gibbs (Grenada), Stacey Liburd (Anguilla), Sheba Wilson (Turks and Caicos), and Rose Anne DeFrieitas (US Virgin Islands).

Activities include a boat experience, Spa Day, school visits and an opening reception at Treasure Beach, Beaches Turks and Caicos.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – Approximately 1,400 residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) benefited from comprehensive, state-of-the-art dental care through a recently concluded 1000 Smiles dental clinic, initiative spearheaded by Great Shape! Inc. in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, Beaches Turks & Caicos and the Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Hosted at the Church of God of Prophecy in Five Cays, Providenciales, the initiative provided a wide range of essential dental services at no cost to beneficiaries. These included dental examinations, professional cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays, sealants and other necessary treatments, helping to address oral health needs while improving access to quality dental care within the local community.

Now in its fifth year in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the programme continues to demonstrate the value of sustained public-private partnerships in expanding access to essential healthcare. The growing reach of the initiative reflects residents’ continued support and confidence in the philanthropic commitment of the Sandals Foundation, the charitable arm of Sandals Resorts International, its partnership with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Great Shape! Inc.

A team of 77 dental professionals participated in this year’s clinic, delivering services with efficiency, professionalism and a shared commitment to improving the oral health and wellbeing of residents.

Beyond the provision of direct dental treatment, the initiative also placed significant emphasis on preventive care and education, recognising the importance of establishing good oral hygiene practices from an early age.

Through Great Shape! Inc.’s dental education programme, teams visited schools across the Turks and Caicos Islands, reaching a total of 4,320 students with practical information and guidance on maintaining good oral health. Participating institutions included Thelma Lightbourne Primary School, BEST Institute, Community Christian School, Ashley Learning Centre, Preparing Little Minds, Richmond Hill Preparatory School, Ianthe Pratt Primary School, Maranatha Academy, Elite School, Holy Family School, Oseta Jolly Primary School, Enid Capron Primary School, Provo Christian Academy, Shining Stars Preparatory School and Mills Institute.

During school visits, students and teachers participated in interactive educational sessions that highlighted the importance of proper brushing techniques, flossing and consistent oral hygiene practices. The sessions were designed to build awareness, encourage healthy habits and reinforce the importance of preventive dental care.

Deryk Meany, General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, was elated to see the turnout of families, noting that increasing access to healthcare services is a key component of the philanthropic organization’s work in improving the lives of the region’s people.

“We are beyond pleased to see the expansion of the 1000 Smiles dental programme in Turks and Caicos Islands. Healthy people make healthy communities and as an organization committed to nation building, we are fully committed to doing what we can to invest in the long- term development of the region’s health sector and services,” Mr. Meany stated.

The continued implementation of the 1000 Smiles dental clinic initiative has been strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation, to facilitate the provision of free dental care to residents during the month of October.

The programme underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships in addressing community healthcare needs, particularly in areas where access to affordable dental services may be a challenge. By combining clinical services with educational outreach, the initiative delivers both immediate assistance and longer-term benefits through increased awareness and prevention.

Great Shape! Inc.’s 1000 Smiles project has established a significant regional presence, providing free dental services to thousands of beneficiaries across Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua, Barbados and The Bahamas.

Through initiatives such as 1000 Smiles, the Sandals Foundation and its partners continue to demonstrate a commitment to strengthening communities, supporting healthier futures and making a meaningful difference in the lives of Caribbean people.

Photo captions: All photographs were taken at the clinic site except the dental group at Beaches.

(Members of the Great Shape dental team attending to patients at the recent dental clinic staged in the Turks and Caicos Islands.)

By Deandrea Hamilton

The Cassandra I remember never backed down from a fight.

She had an effervescent personality and was fiercely committed to her family—and that included her church and her friends. She deeply appreciated the people God had given her, drawing on their love and support to push through circumstances no child, no teenager, should have to face.

Today, voters in a country far from where she grew up have trusted her to champion more accessible communities and better responses to people facing mental health and developmental challenges.

It speaks volumes about what happens when we believe in our children. When we refuse to set limits on who they can become, regardless of how they started. When we recognize God’s hand on their lives and support their ability to contribute and make an impact, wherever He places them.

Cassandra Toussaint is now councilwoman-elect for Ward 1 in Avon, Indiana, after defeating Republican Doug Elmore in the November 3 election. She ran as a Democrat. (youarecurrent.com)

Of Haitian heritage, she grew up in Turks and Caicos, attending Oseta Jolly, briefly Maranatha, and then TCIPS.

Her connections remain strong: friends, family and Lady Turks Gift Shop, a boutique venture she created with her best friend, Novie, from an idea they shared as teenagers.

Her family includes her father, Eliezer Toussaint, and her brother, Stoycov Toussaint, who graduated from Indiana University. Stephane Ambroise is playing basketball in Canada. Her mother, Ertha Etienne, died when Cassandra and her siblings were children.

In Turks and Caicos, her cousins Brenda, Steven, Lendcy and Sarah Cenary are, she says, successful and passionate about helping young people and giving back to their community.  Their mother, her aunt Rose Philomene Cenary, has worked in the Islands’ hotel industry for years and holds a special place in Cassandra’s heart.

“My aunt is the glue of my family,” Cassandra said, describing her love for the family and how she has always done her best to support them all.

A registered behavior technician, Toussaint says her childhood experiences inspired her to advocate for children who feel misunderstood.

Her campaign priorities included improved roads, accessible parks and facilities, and police training to better recognize and respond to autism and intellectual disabilities.

With limited money and little preparation time, she took her campaign directly to residents, knocking on doors and connecting at community events.

“Every resident deserves to be met with understanding,” she wrote.

The young woman I remember is preparing to bring that conviction into public office.