THE National Congress of Women (NCW), under the patronage of Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valarie Yearwood, on Sunday evening, honoured 55 Linden women as part of the body’s activities in observance of International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on March 8th, around the world.

Each woman was awarded with trophies and $10,000, at a gala dinner, held at the Watooka Guest House. The awardees were all deemed grassroots women and were celebrated for their exemplary service over the years in various capacities. Those honoured were janitors, security guards, entrepreneurs, fire women, electricians, drivers, barbers, community workers, seamstress and newspaper vendors.

In attendance were Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, Minister Valarie Yearwood, Chairman of the NCW-Linden branch, Denise Belgrave along with other regional officials. Ally, gave the feature address and congratulated the women for being a catalyst of community development and inspiration to others. “You are here today because you resisted, you insisted, you were persistent and you pressed for progress, in order to achieve your goals. Your energy and dedication are truly inspiring,” she said. The minister reassured the women, that her government remains committed to ensuring that gender equality is promoted in society, thus ensuring that women are empowered. “Today I am here to assure you, that this government remains committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women, in all spheres of life, we will continue to work in collaboration with all partners so as to facilitate progress and empowerment of women.” In this regard, the women were encouraged to get involved in politics and to become the trail blazers, in setting the stage for a more equal society. “We need more women to be trail blazers in order to build more equal societies…as we press for progress, let the challenge for this year be, to make the women of the past proud, the women of the current inspired and the women of the future envisioned.” The awardees were encouraged to become their sisters’ keepers by supporting and realising their visions, so that more women can play an integral role in transforming our nation into an economic powerhouse. Men too, she said, must play their role in supporting the women, thus contributing vigorously to social cohesion, economic growth, peace and prosperity.

Also addressing the women, was chairman Belgrave, who also congratulated the women for their social, economic, cultural and personal achievements and encouraged them to remove all barriers and stumbling blocks to empowerment and equality since societies will flourish, if women are given equal respect and not taken for granted. She reminded the women that they are special and powerful beyond measure and these qualities should be celebrated every day.

The women were treated to a sumptuous dinner in a well decorated hall. They were also serenaded with songs of empowerment and were treated to ball room dancing, before taking the dance floor themselves. Awardee Keisha Griffith, a community worker of Ituni, said that she feels honoured that her passion and efforts to make her community a better place have been recognised. “I felt encouraged and proud to be among women who are hard workers, who strive to make our society a great one.”

In addition to the 55 women, Minister Yearwood surprised four other members of the NCW, including Belgrave. Receiving the minister’s award was Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephens. Finally Minister Yearwood was also surprisingly honoured by the NCW women. International Women’s day was celebrated under the theme, “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. For the month the NCW, held a church service, games night and also distributed florals to deserving women on March 8th, 2019.