The Tribune

By TAVIA AUMOTHIE

RENOWNED race and gender activist Nontombi Naomi Tutu delivered a powerful message on the importance of women in the community despite their social status or shortcomings as Celebrating Women International announced the Bahamian national honourees for its Women of Distinction Awards on Wednesday.

Ms Tutu is the daughter of Archishop Desmond Tutu and a noted speaker on her experiences and challenges growing up in apartheid South Africa, oppression and how the teaching and preaching of hate and division is injurious. She addressed the women to be honoured who have strived to make a difference in society and are being appreciated for their efforts at a reception at Government House.

She told The Tribune: “It has been a wonderful experience for me. I’ve had the opportunity yesterday to have lunch with outstanding women. To recognise the sisterhood across borders and talk about our experiences, struggles. We joked, talked about children, work and it has been an amazing experience for me.”

Hope Strachan, the Minister of Financial Services, is among 18 women to be recognised in CWI’s global “Women of Distinction” awards for 2015, which will be presented on October 3 at the Atlantis Theatre, Paradise Island.

Christina Davis, daughter of Anne-Marie Davis, was pleased her mother was among the 32 Bahamian national honourees. “I think all of the women being honoured is something to aspire towards as a young woman,” she said. “To see Bahamian women being recognised nationally and internationally is amazing. I think my mother is an excellent role model. She’s my lady of distinction and now she’s being recognised for it.”

The Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling, was present at the reception, as was her predecessor, Sir Arthur Foulkes.

The Bahamian National Honourees are: Dr Rhonda Chipman-Johnson, Geneva Elizabeth Major-Rutherford, Anita Doherty, Andrea Miller-Curling, Evelyn Glinton, Iris Williams, Patricia Mortimer, Dr Agreta Eneas-Carey, Dr Emily Osadebay, Jacqueline Mycklewhyte, Loretta Robinson-Thomas, Dr Gloria Ferguson, Rev Irene Russell, Juanita Colebrooke, Allerdyce Marina Louise Strachan, Ellen Serville, Rengin Johnson, Constance McDonald, Kelphene Cunningham, Sofia Papgeorge, Willa Mae Bridgewater, Kelsie Dorsett, Naomi, Lady Wallace Whitfield, Ann Marie Davis, Idena Burrows, Dawn Davies, Patricia Bazard, Audrey Dean-Wright, Claudette Allens, Mitzie Chipman, Sonia Cox-Hamilton and Diana Swann.