By Zena Henry
FIRST Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, and wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, were on Tuesday honoured for their sterling contribution to the empowerment of women here, and the pivotal role they play in today’s society.

For such an achievement, they were presented with 50th Anniversary medals commemorating the Golden Jubilee of the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) during a cocktail reception at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)’s Officer’s Club and Auditorium.

The event followed the conferral earlier in the day of similar tokens of achievement on 31 other ranks and one officer during a special event on the Drill Square of Base Camp Ayanganna.
Both conferrals were done by Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo, in his capacity as Acting President while the Head of State is abroad on official business.
The military women who were honoured were drawn from the revitalised People’s Militia, the Coast Guard and various Army Base Camps.
It was said that the medals were granted “To honour all female Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and soldiers who are on active duty in the Guyana Defence Force as at February 6.”

COMPOSITION

The medal is made of nickel, circular in shape, and measures 35milimeters in diameter.
On the obverse side of the medal is the insignia of the GDF, which is an eight-sided star with the Canje Pheasant inset at the centre. This is encircled by the inscription, “Guyana Defence Force Military Commemoration Medal”.
On the reverse side of the medal is the Victoria Regia Lily, supported by two crossed rifles at the centre, with the words “Fiftieth Anniversary Women’s Army Corps” enscribed.
The AWC’s anniversary is being celebrated under the theme, “Celebrating our Women: Empowering them for Total Defence”.
Week-long activities are being held by the army, with the most recent being a Thanksgiving Service held at the National Cultural Centre, where the First Lady was the guest speaker.

SPECIAL INVITEE
The army also sent a special invitation to US Navy Rear Admiral, Martha Herb to come and share in celebrating the milestone.
Herb was specially selected because of the work she continues to do throughout the Caribbean and the Americas in relation to women’s integration.

Women were integrated into the GDF on January 30, 1967 to function as a reserve unit. The WAC was, however, formed to complement the number of men in the Force at a time when neighbouring Venezuela seized the Ankoko Islands on the Corentyne River.
Captain Joan Granger and Officer Cadets Brenda Aaron, Clarissa Hookumchand and Hyacinth King of the first company of Women’s Volunteer Corps had undergone training for the newly developed arm. They were later joined by 56 women recruits. The army women were well received on Tuesday as they paraded to a cheering crowd of supporters.