GUYANA celebrated the achievements and contributions of 25 outstanding women at the second annual 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center last Saturday.

According to a release, this elegant evening put the spotlight on women who were nominated by their peers, colleagues and residents of their communities because of their outstanding contributions to Guyana and Guyanese.

Inaugurated in 2019 by female entrepreneurs and exemplary leaders in their own right, Michelle A. Nicholas of The NICO Consulting Inc. and Lyndell Danzie-Black of Cerulean Inc., the awards honoured women who have impressed their peers and neighbours with their commendable contributions and hard work in varied areas, including business, community service, health services and other areas of development.

The 2021 Class of 25 women were selected after an exhaustive evaluation process by judges based both in Guyana and in the diaspora. This year’s honorees range from community leaders and CEOs to small business entrepreneurs and nonprofit social advocates, including Abeena Gomes, Anju Vivekanandaraj, Candace Forde, Deepa Sukha, Elizabeth Cox, Elsie A. Harry, Gabriella Xavier, Hazel Vanessa Munroe, Jamicia McCalman, Joyce Whyte-Chin, Karen Williams, Kimberly Manbodh, Marilyn Greene, Marva Langevine, Omattie Madray, Pamela Vaughn, Patricee Douglas, Renatha Exeter, Sancha Halley, Sonya Forrester, Stephanie Simon, Theresa Jn-Jules-Wilson, Valini Leitch, Vanessa Glasgow, and Waneka Arrindell now join the sisterhood of outstanding women leaders across Guyana.

Hosted by radio and television personality Feliz Robertson, the event took the form of a vaccinated-only gathering of the awardees, sponsors and special invitees, including members of the diplomatic corps, including representatives from the United States Embassy in Guyana, High Commission of Canada to Guyana, High Commission of the European Union Delegation to Guyana, and the British High Commission. The event catered to the inclusion of all of Guyana through an expansive presentation on live television and Facebook.

Lloyd Bart, Chief Executive Officer of the Presenting Sponsor Symmetry Brokerage and Holdings, commended the co-creators of the unique award before offering hearty congratulations to the 25 awardees being honoured for their passion and commitment to uplifting the business sector, their communities and society.  Similar sentiments were expressed by other sponsors, among them SBM Offshore, ExxonMobil, the Small Business Bureau, Republic Bank, and Eon and Marthia Nichols.

As the only forum for showcasing the immense contributions of women locally, 25IWLA aims to recognise women leaders who have achieved success in a wide range of fields, and redress the underrepresentation of women and transform how women leaders are viewed in Guyana by highlighting their value, achievements and contributions, the release said. The 25 Influential Women Leaders is the only award of its kind in Guyana to focus on women from a variety of sectors, rather than in a single industry, making the award a unique and important milestone in the recognition of women as leaders.

 NOT YET REALISED
High Commissioner of the European Union Delegation to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto remarked on the fact that not only in Guyana but across the world equity for women is not yet realised. He referenced the importance of honouring successful women, stating that “it is even more important to honour the contributions because, the contributions, irrespective of whether they are successful or not, is what really matters. We are all here to try to make a contribution to this common enterprise which is equality, equity.”

A special contribution from the podium was made by Jane Miller, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana, who at the outset stated her admiration for Guyanese women.

“Gender issues are very important to me, and very important to the UK Government, but I have been blown away in the three months I have been here by the most incredible women leaders in this country. They are the most incredible women,” the diplomat said. Sharing that she is the first female High Commissioner from the United Kingdom to Guyana, Miller spoke on the importance of female leaders claiming their seat at the table, seeking out a mentor and being mentors themselves as well as to call out and celebrate other women.

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS
Co-creator of the awards Michelle A. Nicholas in her opening comments shared the origins of the awards and the importance of creating an award that is committed to the goal of redressing gender inequality and empowering women and girls everywhere, stating that “In 2019, this award started a new and needed conversation.

This award took action. And it is important in this respect that we consolidate and develop the institutions that guarantee the integration of women and gender issues.” In speaking of working together, she said, “I am confident that we can work together today, and the days beyond, building on the gains already made and realising new strengths towards women’s empowerment and gender equality.”

In her inspiring closing remarks, Co-creator Lyndell Danzie-Black stated that the awards would not have been possible without the persons who recognised the work of the awardees and nominated them for this award.  She charged the awardees with focused words of encouragement, “Keep on educating yourself and elevating your knowledge.

We want you to show up powerfully, with humility, originality and always standing in your truth, even if you are the last one standing.”  She closed by encouraging the awardees to go into their communities and find other women to build up, remarking that “the mentee must become the mentor”.

Reaching almost 5,000 viewers on Facebook LIVE and thousands countrywide on NCN Channel 11, supporters cheered on these exemplary women as they were recognized for their sterling contributions to Guyana, the release concluded.