On Sunday, November 20th, 2022 at the luxurious Sandals Royal, over 120 women gathered together to enjoy an evening of fun, entertainment, fine dining, glitz and glamour at the inaugural Inspire Dinner and Networking Event hosted by the team at Boss Ladies United. The dinner and networking event marked the official launch of the professional development and networking organization which formed back in February 2021 and has trained almost 300 women to date.
Founder, Alison Browne-Ellis, opened the evening with an inspiring message reminding the women of their innate ability to be strong even when they are feeling weak and of the power that lies within to overcome trials, while continuing to walk in faith. Browne-Ellis shared her own personal trials she faced which have caused her to bend and flex but never break. “We maneuver through our different seasons in life without even realizing the level of capacity and resilience that we are building which makes us stronger, even when we feel at our weakest,” she said.
Meanwhile, featured speaker, the Hon. Professor Eudine Barriteau, delivered some inspirational and thought-provoking remarks under the theme “The Seven Principles of Leadership”.
Professor Barriteau reminded the women who all came dressed in white that “With power comes responsibility! To act responsibly, you first have to accept your words and actions are indeed an exercise of power.” She stressed that self-confidence involves having an awareness of both your warts and your worth and the importance of being comfortable with accepting all dimensions of yourself.
Professor Barriteau lauded the work being executed by Boss Ladies United to support the development and empowerment of women at all levels across Barbados. She expressed a desire to see such an association replicated across the region. In her final comments, Professor Barriteau encouraged the room of women to make time to celebrate themselves and each other through communities like these. “I also know that you are both confident and sensible enough to recognize that you do not need mine or anyone’s permission or approval to feel good about yourself or your accomplishments!”
On behalf of Boss Ladies United, Co-Founder Tricia Griffith presented a monetary donation of $2,000 to the Founder and Director of Jabez House, Mrs Shamelle Rice who herself delivered an emotional and inspiring speech on the power of paying it forward to others. She drew on her own personal story of emerging from a life of poverty to now leading the charge to bring about change in the life of women sex workers across Barbados.
With a special twist to the evening, four women were publicly acknowledged in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of others or their own personal accomplishments and success in their respective spheres. Tiffany Broomes, Kelly Johnally, Julie Turney and Alicia Chandler were the first recipients of the Be Inspired awards.
Co-Founder Keri Mapp expressed gratitude to the loyal supporters of Boss Ladies United and acknowledged the favourable response of companies across Barbados to support the work of the association.
Sponsors for the Inspire Dinner and Networking Event included Cave Shepherd & Co. Limited, Massy Distribution, City of Bridgetown, CRS Building and Maintenance, EY, RBC Royal Bank, Barbados Public Workers Co-Operative Credit Union Limited, Dwellings and Winston Enterprise Inc.
The Boss Ladies United team expressed their commitment to seeing all women win at life and look forward to doing their part to help increase the competence of women, which helps to increase self-confidence. The team cautioned however, that if we as women don’t start working together and not at cross borders, we will continue to feel undervalued, underappreciated, undercompensated and underrepresented.
The team announced their upcoming programs for 2023 which include Boss Moves training which is focused on goal setting, Time to Boss Up 3.0 and the Inspire Girls Trip to Dallas, Texas in September to participate in the Woman Evolve Conference with international spiritual leader and speaker Sarah Jake-Roberts. (PR)
