The Tribune

By RIEL MAJOR

Tribune Staff Reporter

rmajor@tribunemedia.net

FORMER prime ministers, politicians, family members and friends all joined Cynthia “Mother” Pratt at Prayer and Praise Assembly yesterday for an international humanitarian award ceremony.

Mrs Pratt was awarded the 2019 Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award and a NPAN certificate as a 21st century Pan-African “change agent”.

The New Pan-African Movement (NPAN) awarded Mrs Pratt for her long-standing commitment to community building.

The award is given to notable individuals in recognition of their accomplishments as well as their exceptional service to a country.

Mrs Pratt said the ceremony would not be possible without the help of her friend, Alizè Utteryn.

Ms Utteryn, CEO and founder of AlizéLaVie Media, nominated Mrs Pratt for the award.

Mrs Pratt said: “Today really is a special day for me. I thought that I was stronger than I was, and I tried to hold out as much as possible but how can I say thanks for the things God has done for me? The path in which he has taken me is sometimes rough, sometimes smooth. Sometimes I was at a point where I wanted to give up.

“You know what made this so special for me, it’s done among my people…among my people, the heart of the inner city, the first ever, so this is special because it has never happened before. So, the people are a part of this award; I still live among the people and I am proud of where I am, and I am proud of my people and I know we are just as good as anybody else.”

She added: “Today, because it’s a special day for me, it’s a special day for my people and I thank God my children are able to witness this moment, some of my dear friends and all of you who are here to support me.”

Perry Christie, former prime minister, said there are not many people in the country whose curriculum vitae is as diverse and extraordinary as Mrs Pratt’s. Mr Christie appointed Mrs Pratt as the first woman deputy prime minister and national security minister during his first term.

He recalled Mrs Pratt, then a nurse, coming to see him when he was minister of health around 1978, asking for a transfer to the education field.

“She (started) a career in teaching at what is now the University of the Bahamas and she shared began to nurture and mould lives,” Mr Christie said. “She did something very special. She began to recruit young people who not for her effort would never have the opportunity to go to university abroad or college abroad and she began to give them opportunities.

“There are hundreds of Bahamians who have benefitted from this lady’s work in education.”

Hubert Ingraham, former prime minister, said it was his loss Mrs Pratt never came into his focused attention until she was a candidate in the St Barnabas general election 22 years ago.

Mr Ingraham said: “She had several careers as an athlete, a teacher, a student recruiter, nurse, community leader. She was a sports legend, very outstanding and she then became a deputy prime minister served as deputy leader and deputy prime minister of the Bahamas and the minister of national security.

“She served in Parliament with myself for 15 years, five of its she served as a minister, ten of which I was prime minister of the Bahamas.”

He added: “She would invite others to her home especially those in need and because of her dedication (to) mentoring and coaching so many young persons, particularly young women. Throughout her various careers, Mother Pratt has never lost sight of her most important (vocation) as a wife and a mother.”

Fred Mitchell, Progressive Liberal Party chairman, said he felt privileged to be able to speak at yesterday’s award ceremony.

Mr Mitchell said: “I want to start off by congratulating Mother Pratt, my very good friend. I’m happy to be here this morning on this special occasion.

“There are a lot of connections (between Africa and the Bahamas) and we cherish those connections. Thank you for coming and for presenting this award to Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt who is cherished in the hearts and minds of the Bahamian people.”