The Tribune

NETICA Symonette, veteran hotelier and a Bahamian female pace setter in the hospitality industry, has launched her autobiography “A Girl Called Nettie. A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love”.

In an emotional exchange at the launch, Ms Symonette, friends and former hotel guests of the hotelier shared some of her most challenging experiences during her ventures as a woman at the vanguard of a traditionally male-dominated industry.

The release of her autobiography is timely as the country asks itself where are the leaders-in-training among Bahamians in this important sector of the economy, and particularly women who can reach or surpass the heights to which Ms Symonette scaled.

Ms Symonette’s story shows how she defied the management ‘glass ceiling’ in the workplace. She does not hesitate to address the personal challenges of her search for love, becoming an unwed mother several times over, and the people around her who kept her focused.

Ms Symonette said: “Despite the adversity which I faced in accomplishing what I set out to do, the book is truly meant as an inspiration to those generations after me which may feel there is little hope of advancement, achievement or recognition in their own country. Persistence and your own sense of self-worth are critical to your success and accomplishment.”

Guests who attended the reception and got their books signed by Ms Symonette included Dame Marguerite Pindling, Lynn Holowesko, John Deleveaux, Carolyn Bartlette and many friends.