12 women honoured for community leadership

Twelve Barbadian women were awarded last night for their outstanding contributions to the social fabric of Barbadian society.

In honour of International Women’s Day, the UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies: Nita Barrow Unit and the Community Development Department of the Ministry of Youth and Community awarded women from each parish who have sought to help communities and address social challenges through volunteerism. The ceremony was held at at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination.

The awardees included Shirley London, Sherryl Griffith, Ernesta Phillips, Marguerita Lynch, Lelia Gibbs, Sharon Clarke-Bowen, Tessa Trotman, Hassah Conliffe, Ronda Hope-Lovell, Esther Larrier and Josalene Browne.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde called for more island wide volunteerism during her feature address. She said that community organisations were dying in Barbados.

She applauded the 12 awardees for their tireless efforts in keeping the “spirit of volunteerism” alive in Barbados.

“As a result of the contribution these women have done unselfishly over the many years in their community, doing it for nothing in return but . . . give back to this society by taking their time, skills and resources, will help to strengthen our community linkages,” Forde said.

“They have all sacrificed and gone beyond the call of duty, outside of their income generating.”

The Minister said that it was no longer a “man’s world” as Barbadian women were making strides in the private and public sector.

“For centuries we have seen the women working tirelessly to make ends meet to support families, especially when there was no father around in the household, but our women did a wonderful job raising boys and girls . . .  We need to honour our women in Barbados past and present.” (KK)