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Glittering bevy of VI women honoured for IWD 2015
A very simple, yet touching and impressive ceremony, was held at the Lower Estate Sugar Workers Museum where the life and contributions of a bevy of Virgin Islands women were honoured.
Those honoured with certificates in recognition of their sterling contributions towards the development of the Virgin Islands were Legal Professionals Mrs Janice George Pereira, Ms Anthea L. Smith and Mrs Danica Penn-Sallah, OBE, QC; Athletes were Ms Elinah Phillip, Ms Chantel E. Malone, and Ms Tamara Phillips. In the area of Culture and Entertainment were Mrs Luce Hodge Smith, Mrs Shereen Flax-Charles and Mrs Heather Butcher.
Those honoured in the field of Medical Professionals were Dr Natalie J. Brewley, Dr June Samuel and Dr Jana Downing; Social Workers Mrs Edith Penn and Ms Rose Ermin Penn; Legislators Ms Eileene L. Parsons and Ms Ethlyn Eugenie Smith; Entrepreneurs and Community Activist Ms Patsy Lake and Mrs Valerie O. Thomas; Educators Mrs H. Lynden Smith, Mrs Daisy Simmonds and Mrs Caryl O’Neal and in the field of Communication were Ms Sandra Ward and Mrs Sandra Potter-Warrican.
In declaring the exhibition officially open as it will be on show for one week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development and under whose portfolio Gender Affairs falls, Ms Petrona N. Davies issued a challenge to all women.
“I would like to challenge all of us to create an enduring legacy, by giving back, lifting up, reaching out especially to the young women in our society. In doing so we can together break boundaries and create new frontiers for the next generation. Let’s make it happen,” said Ms Davies.
Also speaking at the ceremony was President of the Family Support Network Ms Judith G. Charles who reflected on the lives of a number of women who have laid the foundation for women of today to build on.
She also spoke of the bedrock highlight of the exhibition ‘Moquo’ and her painful story as written in the history book. She was a woman who attempted to stand up against injustices that she had endured as a woman but because of many circumstances had to recant her story.
“200 years later women in the BVI are still recanting their stories about their mistreatment at the hands of their abusers and they have the same reasons – I have my child to feed, I have to pay rent, I have responsibilities other than just myself and they say the same words that Moquo said – he only hit me nine times.”
Yet she was keen to note, “We’ve come a long way but something’s about the human conditions have not changed all that much.”
Other VI women who would have left an impression included Mrs Valarie Olimpia Thomas. “With what she has accomplished in her life, today you can still go to St Paul’s church and put your hands on children who belonged to the same youth group that she started all those years ago. Yes there is a building with her name on it but yes this lady’s legacy is large,” Charles stated.
The art pieces on exhibition at the Sugar Workers’ Museum, all highlighted with the photographs of the women honoured this year, were artistically designed by the VI’s talented Mrs Carima Wilson-Solomon who said of the things that stand out of the unique art work are the glitters.
“It’s not a lot of glitter but it’s just enough to give you that little ‘humm’ and that’s who these women are. They are not loud, they are not boisterous, they are humble but they still shine in their own way.”
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10 Responses to “Glittering bevy of VI women honoured for IWD 2015”
Everyone is encouraged to come out an view this excellent exhibition! Congratulations to the Office of Gender Affairs!