The Tribune

THREE leading Caribbean figures were honoured last night by Celebrating Women International (CWI) at a special presentation and reception at Government House.

Dame Cecile la Grenade, governor general of Grenada, Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy, governor general of Saint Lucia, and Portia Simpson-Miller, former prime minister of Jamaica, received their 2016 “Women of Distinction” Global Leadership Awards in Politics from CWI. The ceremony was delayed due to Hurricane Matthew as the three honourees were unable to visit The Bahamas as scheduled.

Mrs Simpson-Miller was the first female prime minister of Jamaica, serving from March 2006 to September 2007, and from January 2012 to March 2016. First elected in 1976, she has held a number of cabinet positions and is a champion of equal rights. She is presently the leader of the opposition People’s National Party and Time magazine ranked her among the top 100 most influential people in the world in 2012.

Dame Cecile La Grenade was sworn in as the first female to hold the office of governor general of Grenada in 2013. She chaired the country’s Public Services Commission for three years and was voted Grenada’s businesswoman of the year in 2010 by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Dame Calliopa Pearlette Louisy was appointed governor general of Saint Lucia in 1997 and has had a long and distinguished career in education. She continues her research in education and small state issues and her work has been published in international journals. She is also a patron of culture and the performing arts and promotes Creole language and culture.

Founded in 2013, CWI’s goals are to unite, connect, engage and inspire women to honour and celebrate themselves and other women worldwide and to expand women’s global business and leadership opportunities. Since 2014, the organisation has recognised and honoured nearly 500 women, including Bahamians, from around globe who have been awarded for their stellar achievements in an array of categories which include entrepreneurship and innovation, health care, education, finance, community service, performing arts and more.