The Bureau of Women’s Affairs a Division in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in conjunction with Non-governmental Women’s Organisations have planned a number of activities in celebration of National Women’s Week in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Senator the Hon. Katherine Smith outlined the activities to celebrate the week in Grand Bahama at a press conference on Monday.
Senator Smith said the country will celebrate the 46th Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote in The Bahamas, Wednesday, November 26, which coincides with National Women’s Week festivities.
The Senator said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for women throughout Grand Bahama, from the east to west of Grand Bahama to come out and support the activities for November 26, which as I said is a very important date in the lives of women in the country and certainly in Grand Bahama.”
The 21st Century Woman in a Developing Bahamas is the theme for the week, which lasts from November 23 – 26.
The week of activities on Grand Bahama gets underway Sunday with a Church Service at Life Community Church beginning at 9:00 a.m.
On Monday, November 24, there will be an exhibition staged at the Government Complex on The Mall, which will feature the Grand Bahamian women, the National Women’s Week Planning Committee will honour during a special banquet.
The exhibit will feature Women in Sports, Politics, Business, Civics, Community Service, Education, Music and Fine Arts.
Committee member Karen Ferguson-Bain explained that some 40 women from Grand Bahama will be honoured.
Several women who are active in the community will participate in a radio talk show on Mix 102 FM beginning at 8:40 a.m. and on Cool 96 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 25.
On Wednesday, the day observing women’s right to vote in the country, there will be a tree planting ceremony in front of the Government Complex beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Minister of State for Labour and Social Development the Hon. Loretta Butler-Turner will participate in the ceremony as well as a Talk Show on Love 97 FM at 11:30 a.m. The show will focus on The Suffrage Movement.
In the evening, a special banquet will be held to honour the 40 outstanding women of Grand Bahama at the Yacht Club on Midshipman Road. It starts at 7:30 p.m. and the guest speaker will be Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Missouri Sherman-Peter.
Among those being honoured in the area of Politics are current Progressive Liberal Party Senator Pleasant Bridgewater and former Senators Naomi Seymour and Mrs. Geneva Rutherford.
Other honourees are:
Business – LeGloia Hall-Lesbotte, Mrs. Geneva Bartlett Martin, Mrs. Nathalie Smith and Mrs. Melvenia Russell
Civics – Norma Headley, Minette Cooper, Dr. Wiona Pratt and Mrs. Debbie Archer
Community Service – Mrs. Anna Hall, Veronica Poitier, Nurse Pratt and Nurse Richardson
Education – Lynette Kelly, Mavis Shepherd, Elmaria Williams and Daisy McPheee
Project – Anne Cover, Michelle Gomez, Willie Moss, Ingrid Tynes and Susan Stuart-Moss
Religion – Lottie Russell and Teresitta Jones
Sports – Monique Leary, Varnette Laing, Elizabeth Johnson, Olivia Mackey and Viola Roker Evans
Women Equalities – Joanna Newton-Russell, Constance McDonald, Lynn Glinton and Anita Doherty
Music and fine arts – Pamela Woods, Gea Pierre, Ivy Eden, Velyn Cooper, Chantel Bethel and Claudette Dean