The Tribune

MINISTER for Financial Services Hope Strachan will be among 50 women from the Bahamas, Canada and the United States who will be honoured during next month’s Women of Distinction Awards hosted by the Celebrating Women International (CWI) organisation.

The CWI, founded in 2013, is a subsidiary of the TKHGFI non-profit organisation that aims to “mobilise and inspire women across the globe; to honour, recognise and celebrate the contributions of women, leveraging their untapped leadership capabilities in order for them to thrive in the world so that they can lead productive lives.”

CWI is a group of prestigious women’s advocates in the Bahamas, Canada and the US. Together they form a team that has one common goal: to support women’s rights.

In the Bahamas, October has been proclaimed as Women of Distinction Month.

Joining Ms Strachan, who is also the MP for Sea Breeze, on this year’s honours list is soul and gospel singer Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston, as well as “Empire” actress Grace Gealey.

Colin Smith, CWI’s corporate secretary, said: “Celebrating Women International thinks honouring women for their accomplishments and hard work is a wonderful way to thank and inspire other women within the community. These awards are intended to do that. The selected honourees have demonstrated an untiring zeal for service to the community and inspire us through their selfless commitment to improving the lives of others.”

Bahamian women who were honoured during CWI’s inaugural event last year have made significant contributions to the arts, in business and finance, in religion, law, civics, media and sports.

Not only does the CWI strive to “expand women’s global business and leadership opportunities”, they “inspire a spirit of service and giving among women.”

The Women of Distinction Awards is celebrated to honour diligent individuals who daily go against the stereotypes surrounding women.