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Dame Janet Bostwick  Receives CARICOM Triennial Award for Women; Second for The Bahamas

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 NASSAU, The Bahamas –Her first exposure to the plight of women happened in the 1950s and this sparked her unrelenting fight for the empowerment of women in The Bahamas, regionally, and globally.

For her significant contributions to the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Rt. Hon. Dame Janet Bostwick, 83, was honoured with the prestigious 13th CARICOM Triennial Award for Women.

The honour was bestowed on her at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 44th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, at Atlantis, Paradise Island, February 15, 2023.

The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of The Bahamas and Chair of CARICOM, presented a framed Citation and award to her before a packed Grand Ballroom.

Dame Janet, an attorney and champion for women’s causes, became the second Bahamian woman to receive such an honour.  Marion Bethel, attorney, poet, essayist, filmmaker, human and gender rights activist, and writer was honoured in 2014.

In response to receiving The 13th CARICOM Triennial Award for Women, Dame Janet underscored the importance of women fighting for justice, equality and other areas such as the impact of climate change.

She said that the region is “so proud” that a woman, the Hon. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, is leading the charge for women against climate change.

“We do not have the luxury ladies of focusing our attention primarily on achieving gender equity or equality.  With the real threat of climate change, we must fight now for our very lives, and the continued existence of our nations.  Women, who are always the most vulnerable, should lead this fight.”

Dame Janet Gwennett Bostwick, DBE, née Musgrove, was born 30 October 1939 in Nassau, The Bahamas to Nick and Lois Musgrove.

An attorney at law, she is revered as a pioneer among women in The Bahamas and is well known, admired and respected for the many years she championed the cause for the empowerment and improvement of the status of women at home and in the region.

Dame Janet has the distinction of having achieved many “firsts” in her career. Most notably: first woman in The Bahamas to hold the post of Secretary General of The Bahamas Public Services Union; to prosecute in the courts; to be elected as President of The Bahamas Bar Association and Chairman of the Bar Council; first woman to serve as a Member of Parliament following her election to the House of Assembly in 1982; the first woman appointed Attorney General in The Bahamas and the region in November 1994; the first woman appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1995. She was also the first woman to act in the post of Prime Minister.

Dame Janet’s activism on women’s issues spans from the mid-1960s, when she was an executive member of The Bahamas Public Services Union, through her entire political career. Over the many years, she represented The Bahamas at the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), Commission on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), chaired the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), as well as headed The Bahamas delegation at the Fourth World Women’s Conference in Beijing, China in September 1995.

Dame Janet shared that she was exposed to the plight of women while working at the Supreme Court in the 1950s, but was deeply sensitized to the extremities of violence against women when she attended an international conference in the early 1990s.

“It was then that I knew that I had to be a part of that group, which sought change and global recognition of men and women, as equal partners in every respect,“ Dame Janet said.

She continued: “I heard the cries of those women in 1957. And if you listen, you hear the cries of mothers now. They cry for food security. They need food for their children. They cry for cessation of violence, they cry for better education and for better and affordable health services.  And yes, they cry for equal rights with their land.

Dame Janet urged all to be careful not to be distracted from the cause for the rights of women.

“It is a battle that is still too far from victory. And it is a battle, which in my humble opinion is not receiving the acknowledgment attention and action that is required to ensure that the injustice is eliminated. It is a battle that has been relegated to a position of lesser importance, and it’s been choked by the clamor of others.”

She added: “This is tragic. Every one of us who ever existed came into existence through woman. We cannot afford to give precedent to the rights of others if we do not so successfully address and eliminate the inequities that exist throughout our diaspora, and indeed throughout the world, in respect of the rights of us, women.  I submit that for this, we need no redefinition of woman. There is much to be done.”

Dame Janet thanked all who were instrumental in nominating her for the award.

Since the introduction of the Triennial Award in 1983 several highly esteemed and outstanding women of the Caribbean have been bestowed the honour of the award for their dedication and determination in broadening the parameters of existence for women, and improving their economic, social, political, cultural and legal status.

Other Caribbean women awarded are: In 1984, Ms. Nesta Patrick of Trinidad and Tobago; 1987, the late, Her Excellency, Dame Nita Barrow of Barbados; 1990, Dr. Peggy Antrobus, national of Grenada and Citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; 1993, Ms. Magda Pollard of Guyana; 1996, Dr. Lucille Mair of Jamaica; 1999, Professor Joycelin Massiah, national of Guyana and Citizen of Barbados; 2002, Professor Rhoda Reddock of Trinidad and Tobago; in 2005 Justice Desiree Bernard of Guyana; 2008, Professor Barbara Evelyn Bailey of Jamaica; 2011, Professor V. Eudine Barriteau of Barbados; 2014, Ms. Marion Bethel of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas; 2017, Ms. Shirley Pryce of Jamaica.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of The Bahamas, and Chair of CARICOM, presented Dame Janet Bostwick with the prestigious 13th CARICOM Triennial Award for Women during the Official Opening Ceremony of the 44th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, at Atlantis, Paradise Island, on February 15, 2023.

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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