Bahamas News

Expect an Excellent Read from Mother Pratt’s NEW BOOK, From the Pit to the Palace

Published

5 years ago

March 12, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Shanieka Smith & Deandrea Hamilton

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, March 12, 2022 – Her life demonstrated that “you begin in the pit, but you don’t have to end in the pit.”

Cynthia Mother Pratt, most popularly known as Mother Pratt, a Bahamian born, who grew up in an inner-city called Coconut Grove, came from extreme poverty but modestly walked her way up to becoming the second in command as the Deputy Prime Minister and the first female Minister of Defense for The Bahamas.

Her target with this inaugural book is young people, and her message is that their start does not determine their end.

A gated community, money, or privilege were not Mother Pratt’s easy climb out of the pit. It was her internal desires, hard work, discipline, humility, and determination. It was not until age 34 that Mother Pratt went to university; she sat, learnt, and graduated with 17 and 18-year-olds.

“Nonetheless, I wanted to achieve my goal,” she said.

At the time Mother Pratt went to school, students had to leave at age 14 if their parents could not afford the fees. She said she grew up in the lower class; that then and now is a major discouragement for people in similar situations. This was where the inspiration for one of her three literary contributions, From the Pit to the Palace, originated.

“I want the masses to know, the world to know, that there is a woman who God brought from the pit, the gutter, so to speak and who emerged to the very top. If it happened for me, it can happen for them,” she said passionately.

From the Pit to the Palace, an autobiography of Mother Pratt was published in January 2022. According to Mother Pratt, the book is for everyone – young and old.

“You have many adults who tend to give up on life because things didn’t work out for them. They believe that they are a failure, and that is why the book will explain, and encourage, and enhance, edify, to tell them that there is hope,” she expressed.

To reinforce Mother Pratt’s humble nature and soul message from her autobiography: she still resides in an inner-city after all she has accomplished.

And Dr Cynthia Mother Pratt has accomplished a lot. While her first term in service to people was in the teaching profession and as a sports coach, Mother Pratt and her escalating popularity attracted leaders in the political arena.

“They had to almost pry me into first of all getting involved in politics, period, I never was interested; never been to a meeting. But what had happened at the time, I was at the college in Bahamas, I was assisting the director and there with student activities – part-time lecturer, and I got a message there from the sitting Prime Minister that he would like to meet with me,” she expressed.

There was an invitation extended and suffice it to say, there was a big fat ‘no’ at the onset, but the Progressive Liberal Party and Perry Gladstone Christie, would not take no for an answer. Persistence paid off for Christie and an attempt, bound to fail from Mother Pratt’s perspective, turned into a 10-year career in politics, starting in 2002 until she retired in 2012.

A deputy party leader, the first for a woman in The Bahamas; a deputy prime minister who would go on to hold the prime minister’s post during a time of illness for Mr Christie and numerous other ceiling shattering accolades. Yet none seemed to change her heart, which was first and foremost for God, then for family.

Mother Pratt has six children: three boys, an adopted son, who is now deceased and one biological daughter. She also has eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Pratt’s husband, Joseph Benjamin is also deceased.

“They [my children] reminded me the other day, they said, mommy, we have never really had you for ourselves as our mom because you were always looking after somebody else. And at one time, I had six children in my house until at one point and my husband got to the point where he says Cynthia, don’t bring another one in here,” she chuckles as she reminisces.

Global prizes were also not unusual for Mother Pratt, but one presented to her in 2019 is truly cherished as it bears the name of one of history’s most valiant freedom fighters. At a ceremony at her church, Prayer and Praise Assembly in Coconut Grove, the little girl from ‘the Grove’ was awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for her long-standing commitment to community building, and it cemented that a book to chronicle this achievement must be penned. And so it was.

“The thing about my growing up is that I was never satisfied with where I was. I always wanted to belong and when I say belong: belong to those who are trying to get to another level. I was not satisfied with one thing; when I got that I was never satisfied because I knew there was something better. And so I knew then there was something pushing me to say you can achieve it, you can do it, says Mother Pratt.” She added that she was never afraid to fail.

On her porch is where she shared these fascinating nuggets and cherished memories with us; her front porch in the Grove. An area which she served and represented in parliament, and an area though often considered a shady side of Nassau town, is treasured as her launch pad, a stepping stone and the birthplace of her desire to be more.

“The inner city is where we live, but we have to make it what it is. The community does not build us; we build the community,” she said.

Dr. Pratt, who is admittedly social media shy adds that “if you really want to make something of your life, you need to dig deep, pull your bootstraps up and know that if Mother Pratt could make it, then I can as well.”

This former sports coach, who earned the name because she became such a positive force to young people, made it clear that little opportunities present themselves, and it is only fitting that young people grab on to them. The first step, she said, is to believe in yourself.

“[Opportunities] are there, but you have to go out and get it. And in other words, God would have given them manna from heaven, but they had to go and get the manna. And that is how you’re going to achieve because you must want to change.

I can’t make you do it, but you must want it from within and then grab a hold of opportunities when they present themselves because it may not be there tomorrow.”

From the Pit to the Palace is now available on Amazon at a cost of $20 dollars. It can also be found in Bahamas-based bookstores.

Undoubtedly, expectedly, the book authored by Mother Pratt will be a raw, real, humourous and inspiring account of a life that continues to be well-lived.

Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

Bahamas News

Schweppes ‘the Art of Mixology’ Dazzles at Paradise Plates with Nemiroff Vodka

Published

3 days ago

October 13, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

NASSAU, Bahamas — Schweppes, in collaboration with Nemiroff Vodka dazzled guests with handcrafted cocktails during Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger’s annual fundraiser held at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

The evenings’ theme, 70’s: Paradise Disco, inspired bold and delicious sips from Schweppes and Nemiroff. The beautiful disco themed Schweppes booth, adorned with LED signs, lush greenery and hanging black and gold metallic orbs shined throughout the room.

Schweppes’ brand representatives and mixologists dressed in chic 70’s speakeasy attire engaged attendees throughout the night. Guests enjoyed receiving knowledge of each product and experiencing the vibrant energy of brand representatives.

Nemiroff Vodka, which is locally distributed by Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor; offered a unique variety of vodkas which made the perfect blend with Schweppes. Guests enjoyed, Nemiroff’s Honey Pepper, De Luxe, Burning Pear, Wild Cranberry, and Bold Orange vodkas throughout the night.

Fan favorite cocktails of the night were: the Wild Cranberry Tonic and the Bold Orange Fizz.

Following a positive response at Paradise Plates, CWS is offering Nemiroff and Schweppes specials at local liquor stores for the entire month. With the purchase of any 1-liter Nemiroff vodka, enjoy a complimentary three-pack of Schweppes mixers, to recreate the magic of Schweppes and Nemiroff.

Cara Douglas-Adderley, Senior Marketing Director for Caribbean Bottling (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products and CWS shared the inspiration behind the Schweppes and Nemiroff promotion.

“We are thrilled to have paired Schweppes and Nemiroff for Paradise Plates this year, creating a premium cocktail experience for guests. After receiving such positive feedback, we wanted to extend that experience to consumers at home. Throughout October, consumers can visit their favorite watering hole, buy any 1-liter Nemiroff bottle and receive a free three-pack of Schweppes.”

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to offer Schweppes, Coca-Cola’s premier mixer in collaboration with Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Nemiroff Vodka at Paradise Plates in support of Hands for Hunger’s mission.

For more information on CBC’s philanthropic work, new products and specials, visits www.cbcbahamas.com today.

Bahamas News

Two Months On, The Bahamas Academy of Sciences Turns Fifty Years of Research into Action

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

First peer-reviewed paper published, policy brief delivered to Minister Lightbourne, a seat at Climate Week, and a growing public audience for Bahamian science

NASSAU, The Bahamas, 7 October 2026 — Two months after putting fifty years of research on The Bahamas “on the record” at its first public event in July, The Bahamas Academy of Sciences (BAS) has been turning that evidence into action.

Since July, the Academy has published its first peer-reviewed paper, presented its findings to Government through a policy brief, taken Bahamian science to Climate Week in Nassau and New York, and launched a growing public conversation in which Bahamians can ask scientists questions and get answers. The Academy’s new policy brief, “Prioritising National Research Needs for The Bahamas,” is attached to this release.

“In July we said the record was open. Since then, we have been working to put it to use,” said BAS President Dr. Krista Sherman. “Fifty years of research revealed where The Bahamas is strong and where the gaps are: water, food, energy, long-term monitoring. Our job as the national academy is to share that evidence with the decision-makers and the public they serve, and to build the Bahamian research capacity to fill those gaps.”

THE RECORD, NOW PEER-REVIEWED AND PUBLIC

The Academy’s first publication, “Fifty Years of Research in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas: A Quantitative Thematic Analysis of Scholarly Output,” is now published in the international journal Gulf and Caribbean Research. Led by Dr. Amina Moss (University of Stirling) with BAS members Dr.

Krista Sherman, Dr. Williamson Gustave, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, Dr. Charlotte Dunn, Dr. Nicola Smith, Lindy Knowles and Dr. Christy Gibson, the study analyses 12,113 scholarly records published about The Bahamas between 1975 and 2025.

It shows a rich scientific legacy, particularly in geology, fisheries, oceanography and conservation, while also highlighting persistent gaps in areas of direct national importance: groundwater resources, food systems, renewable energy, social-ecological governance and locally led, long-term monitoring. The full paper is free to read at https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.3701.15.

FROM THE RECORD TO POLICY

Building on this research, BAS has prepared a policy brief, “Prioritising National Research Needs for The Bahamas,” which translates the findings into a set of ten strategic priorities.

The policy brief calls for greater investment in locally led, policy-aligned and climate-ready research, including:

a national research agenda aligned with Vision 2040;
stronger local scientific capacity, laboratories and field stations;
rebuilt long-term monitoring of reefs, fisheries, coasts and mangroves;
targeted research on groundwater, food systems and renewable energy;
a national environmental and health data repository; and public health research on the risks facing small island states.

In September, Dr. Sherman presented the brief to the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, during a courtesy call. The visit is the first in a series of introductory meetings with Government ministries over the coming months. Through these meetings, the Academy will introduce its work and explore opportunities for collaboration in science, the environment, sustainability, conservation and climate resilience. The policy brief also maps research priorities to relevant national legislation and policies, from the Environmental Planning and Protection Act to the National Health Strategy 2026–2030.

BAHAMIAN SCIENCE AT CLIMATE WEEK, FROM NASSAU TO NEW YORK

BAS also brought Bahamian scientific expertise to Climate Week 2026.

On Monday, 21 September, BAS Board member Dr. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, Professor Emerita at the University of Miami, presented “Coasts and Climate Change” at the opening day of Climate Week in The Bahamas, hosted by the Baha Mar Resort Foundation at ECCHO, under the theme “At the Edge of the Water.” Dr. Sullivan Sealey explained why The Bahamas’ low-lying carbonate islands face growing risk from sea-level rise and storms, and how historical losses of coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves and dunes have weakened the islands’ natural defences. More importantly, she highlighted actions communities can take to reduce these risks.

During Climate Week, the Academy also released a science statement, “Climate Change and Ocean Warming Impacts on The Bahamas: What Does the Science Tell Us?”, a synthesis of the environmental, ecological, social and economic impacts facing the archipelago.

In New York, BAS Vice President Dr. Adelle Thomas, Vice-Chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), brought the realities of vulnerable small island states to Climate Week NYC.

A GROWING PUBLIC AUDIENCE FOR BAHAMIAN SCIENCE

The Academy’s public campaign, 242 #ForTheRecord, has also been building a presence across its five platforms since launching in mid-July. Its most successful format has been the simplest: Bahamians ask a question and a BAS scientist answers it. So far, the “You Ask/Science Responds” series has tackled questions on how climate change will affect Bahamian farming (Dr. Williamson Gustave) and the science of blue holes (Dr. Krista Sherman). An upcoming episode will examine the effects of high temperatures on public health. Question-led content is reaching roughly twice the audience of the Academy’s institutional posts. During its first month, the campaign generated more than 18,500 views and over 200 shares across its platforms.

To extend the conversations to more Bahamians, beyond the traditional science-curious audiences,

BAS has also formalised collaborations with two local content creators, Kaché Knowles (“I is a Bahamian Bey”) and Stephen Hanna (“Schin Nguyen”). Their first joint pieces will appear before the campaign closes on 30 November.

WHAT COMES NEXT

For BAS, putting the record to work is only the beginning. Over the coming months, the Academy will:

continue introductory meetings with Government ministries and agencies;
host its Future Scientists classroom event with Bahamian students in early November;
launch its YouTube channel with a video-podcast series on Bahamian scientists in November;
begin work on its second peer-reviewed publication, “A Horizon Scan on Emerging Environmental Issues in The Bahamas Over the Next Decade”; and
offer “Introduction to Statistics using Excel,” a short, practical course in early 2027 that will give early-career scientists and resource managers in The Bahamas hands-on skills in organising, analysing and summarising their own data.

“Research is most valuable when it can be used,” said Dr. Sherman. “The Bahamas has an extraordinary scientific record. Now we need to ensure that record informs the questions we ask, the decisions we make, and the science we build here at home.”

See BAS Climate Statement and BAS Policy Briefing 50 Years of Bahamian Research here: BAS Climate Statement,

BAS Policy Briefing_50 Years of Bahamian Research

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Header: BAS President Dr. Krista Sherman met the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources and his team on 17 September 2026. L–R: Mr. David Davis, Permanent Secretary; Mr. Ricardo Deveaux, Acting Under Secretary; The Hon. S. Obie Roberts, Parliamentary Secretary; Dr. Krista Sherman, BAS President; The Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister; Dr. Rhianna Neely-Murphy, Director, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection; Ms. Danielle Hanek, Acting Director, Forestry Unit.

Credit: Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Insert: Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, BAS Board member, presents the Academy’s science statement at Climate Week in The Bahamas, ECCHO, 21 September 2026.

Credit: Amaeleo Carey.

PRESS RELEASE: BAS