The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A LIFE of service and sacrifice has been the hallmark of Bahamian Rita Spriggs, who was recently honoured for her long-standing commitment to the Pilot Club of Nassau civic organisation.

Ms Spriggs was nominated by local club members, and has added the Outstanding Pilot award to her list of accomplishments. Outstanding Pilots are recognised monthly by the international club, in which members around the world are invited to consider deserving individuals for the award.

“I am grateful to the members of my club (Pilot Club of Nassau), for thinking of me as deserving, and therefore nominating me. As Pilots, we strive to bring the gift of caring to those in need. It is the nature of Pilots to do good, and not seek accolades for doing so. With that being said, while I am grateful for this honour, it certainly was not something I aspired for.

“It was an extremely delightful experience to be chosen from a number of well deserving members internationally, but it was also a very humbling experience as well. I believe that a person should never take all the good things this life offers without giving something back to the community, without seeking recognition,”Ms Spriggs told Tribune Woman.

Pilot International organisation was founded in Macon, GA in 1921. It has been dedicated to serve for almost a century and was originally designed as a volunteer service organisation for business and professional women. Pilot International has since expanded to include men and women from around the globe and in all walks of life.

Rita is a past director, president and coordinator of the Pilot Club of Nassau, a past Governor of the Coed District, 2003-2004 and has served on the membership task force for the Pilot International Club. She joined the Pilot Club of Nassau in September 1977, after being attracted to its code of friendship and service. She has been affiliated with the organisation for the past thirty six (36) years.

“I was attracted to Pilots because of their wonderful code of ethics and the Pilot Principles “Friendship and Service”. I always had a volunteer heart and a passion to be of service to my community. Through the Pilot organisation, I could have a greater impact by joining with others who shared the same vision.

“What I enjoy most about the organisation, is the bonds of friendship along with the commitment to serving others,” she said.

Ms Spriggs’ community involvement goes back many years when she became a founding member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of the Bahamas in 1972.

She has fought tirelessly over the years for the development of women. One of her many concerns was the high incidences of young women becoming pregnant out of wedlock at an early age.

Later she became a founding member of the Bahamas Family Planning Association with a small group of equally concerned citizens. They formed a centre where girls and women can get advice and medical assistance. As the group became more organised it joined forces with the International Family Planning Association where she was employed for many years.  

Rita is currently retired but works at her son’s eatery business at Sammy’s Chicken as an office Administrator.

“I always strive to encourage, motivate, inspire, serve; and the hope that I, in some small measure, was able to assist persons in making their life better,” she said.