THIS year’s celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8 will be boosted by the ‘Oxygen with Nicole’ O2N-series, which will provide a ‘safe place’ for women to speak and share their life experiences to motivate others.The activities will commence with a women’s empowerment forum through a partnership with a number of stakeholders, including the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts, the Ministries of Social Cohesion and Social Protection and Dyer-Griffith.
It will take place on March 6 at a venue to be announced. According to the organizers, the celebrations surround the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Use of drama
Speaking at a press briefing at the Marriott Hotel yesterday, Nicole Dyer-Griffith, a former Miss Universe contestant, who conceptualized the motivational event, told the media that O2N offers a safe place where persons can create, connect and cohere. She said it is undertaken through the use of drama; where persons tell their stories; where the audience is drawn into the event, taking the forum to a higher level of understanding. “So it is a very unique type of constructive conversation that takes place,” she said, adding that it is expertly and uniquely guided.
Dyer-Griffith, who is also a Trinidad and Tobago politician, said that essentially, the concept behind ‘Oxygen with Nicole’ was borne from a feeling she started experiencing over the hosting of elections in the twin-island republic. “We had a high level of negative strife in a number of different perspectives,” she said. As a candidate she felt something was not right. “We can have our political differences and so but it does not have to permeate into our society,” she asserted. At the time, Dyer-Griffith related to someone, “I need oxygen,” some place where she can escape the atmosphere.
The concept came into fruition with several tenets, one being it must never be a boring event, noting that the first of the series was held at a hotel in Trinidad, and was free and open to the public.
She said that there is a connection which occurs where ordinary persons tell extraordinary stories and vice versa. In the end, the individual would say, “I never knew that about you.”
Fashion designer Sonia Noel expressed high regard for the collaboration. “It is something that is needed, anything that is to do with empowerment of women and youth, I am 100% onboard,” she said

She said that her creative foundation was launched in 2012, and she is also involved in philanthropic work. She indicated that her idea of empowering women includes the thought that they need some space for themselves. “Sometimes you don’t feel as if you are a secure person,” she said, adding that the air gives one the idea that they can breathe and she pointed to the creative sector which provides “that oxygen that is sometimes needed.”

The storyteller
Fashion evangelist Richard Young also spoke highly of the concept, noting that it brings out the inner peace of mankind. “This project addresses that inner beauty and my way of appreciating what is Caribbean and storytelling about us is to accept the information of the story teller.” He also observed that the storyteller utilizes his/her life stories and tells of ways of being resilient, how to proceed in life and face adversity.
Empowerment opportunity
Speaking on behalf of Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Alli, Olive Gopaul said that the ministry is happy to be a part of the event since it provides an empowerment opportunity for women in Guyana and the region. She said it coheres well with the mandate of the ministry since it is one which creates an environment of trust, unity and embraces diversity across Guyana.
Meanwhile, Diego Alphonso of the Social Protection Ministry said that Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence was in full support of the idea.
The event provides an environment for cohesiveness among participants and those persons can connect with speakers to express their personal life experiences. It also encourages group-based discussions and creates opportunities for talented personalities in the creative industries not only in Guyana but the Caribbean region.
Picture name : O2N1
Caption: Trinidadian politician Nicole Dyer-Griffith addressing the media on the women empowerment forum to be held on March 6 under the ‘Oxygen with Nicole’ concept. At her right is designer Sonia Noel and fashion evangelist Richard Young. Seated at right are moderator John Quelch, Diego Alphonso of the Social Protection Ministry and Olive Gopaul of the Social Cohesion Ministry.
By Alva Solomon