The Tribune

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

Bahamian women were encouraged to be leaders in every facet of their lives during a recent seminar hosted by University of the Bahamas.

Women from a cross section of society came together for two days to participate in the ‘Women in Leadership and Decision Making Course’ at UB.

This was the first official course hosted at the university since transitioning from a college. About 20 women participated in the course, ranging from professionals from the banking, medical, trade union and other fields, to UB students and homemakers.

“This course, designed to promote women, will look at how do we actually transform ourselves first, and then others that we have been called to lead,” Gaynel Curry told those gathered for the opening ceremony on Friday, February 4.  

Ms Curry, Director of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development, said she was elated to announce that the Ministry has successfully partnered with the Caribbean Institute of Women in Leadership (CIWIL) to present this course.  

Anande Trotman-Joseph, who represented CIWIL, began interacting with Bahamians from her flight to New Providence. 

She has discovered, she said, that women throughout the region face similar concerns in terms of the protection of their rights.

Noting the cross section of attendees, Mrs Trotman-Joseph likened it to the variety of women across the Caribbean, and called for women to “find common ground even though we may be in different seasons in our lives”.

“We are women. We are sisters. We are Caribbean, and in this part of the world, we are holding up more than half of the sky,” she said.

She said it is important “not to acknowledge the ego in leadership, but to become transformational leaders knowing your purpose, what you faced, and what you were able to overcome.”

Creative wealth educator and author Keshelle Kerr hosted the opening ceremonies for the course, which was held at the Harry C Moore Library theatre at UB. 

Ms Kerr, who plans to release another book this year, reminded women in leadership positions that saving and investing in ventures together is also empowering.

Paulette Zonicle, the first female Consul General to be appointed to Washington, DC, by the Bahamas government, delivered the keynote address, calling on Bahamian women to consider themselves as leaders no matter what position they are in.  

Having grown up in the Grove, Mrs Zonicle noted that she watched her mother and other mothers in the area serve as leaders in their households and communities.

She encouraged women to consider themselves as leaders in whatever capacity they serve in, whether they are the boss or not. 

By making the conscious decision to lead, she said, you carve a path of excellence that others will want to follow. 

Mrs Zonicle has had a long career in radio and television and served a term as senator. She recalled when first given the assignment of Consul General, Prime Minister Perry Christie encouraged her with words she would never forget: “You are representing a country and a people.”

She said every Bahamian woman must remember that they are not only representing themselves or those in their circle, but an entire nation.

She shared stories of visiting Bahamian inmates in American prisons, including an 88-year-old. So many, she noted, had not seen a fellow Bahamian in several years prior to her visit. 

She spoke of her efforts to assist Bahamian students, and her tenacity in continuing to promote the Bahamas to everyone she meets from around the world. 

She said she often encourages Bahamian students to return home after the completion of their studies abroad, noting that “there are so many facets of our development that have not yet been touched”. 

She is currently finalising a scholarship programme that will require recipients to return home and help to develop their country.

“True leadership is a product of inspiration; genuine leadership is an internal disposition which emulates self-worth,” she said.

Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin brought remarks on behalf of Minister Melanie Griffin, who was travelling. 

She said she was impressed with the cross section of Bahamian women who signed up for the course, some having been financed by a scholarship.

She noted that the Bahamas has made some gains in the development process, particularly with equal access for women and girls in education, health and employment.  In education, for example, girls continue to outperform boys at the secondary and tertiary levels. UB indicates that 77 per cent of its 2015/ 2016 graduates were women.  “Learning about leadership and its affiliated pros and cons within the relatively secure space of a classroom setting is a great start,” said Mrs Hanna-Martin. “But assuming progressively visible leadership roles requires courage to challenge norms, and sacrifice one’s time, finances and at times, even relationships”.

They are challenges, she added, that can be overcome but must be considered when speaking of leadership.