By:Curtis Morton
Gingerland-Nevis- They are women with a mission and they have a specific focus.
They are from Hanley’s Road and surrounding communities and according to Ms Elmeader Brookes who is the coordinator of the group, the group started with a few women within the community who had a vision to see the community members thrive and develop.
Out of that initial meeting, a women’s group for the area, was formed.
The group was officially launched on the evening of Wednesday 6th July at the Charles Walters Community center at Hanley’s Road and in giving an overview, Ms Brookes, as she would have done previously, reiterated that the group was open to all women in the area. There were no political nor religious barriers.
The executive members are:
Elmeader Brookes-Coordinator
Gail Dore- President
Deslyn Evelyn-Secretary-Treasurer
Other foundation members are Florine Williams and Michelle Dore
The aim of the group is to bring the women in the Hanley’s Road community together in a more formal setting, to use their combined strengths and competencies for the advancement of the community i.e. Hanley’s Road.
She also indicated that the group meets at least once per month and various speakers are being invited to speak to the group on a variety of relevant topics.
Mr. Stedmond Tross who spoke on behalf of Premier Vance Amory, indicated that the Premier is recuperating nicely after a recent health scare in Canada.
He congratulated the group on its formation and noted that it was an occasion when official birth was given, after it was conceptualized exactly nine months ago. He admonished them to work hard and seek to achieve their stated goals.
Miss D. Michelle Liburd, Asst. Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, spoke on behalf of the Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams who was at another function.
She used a quotation from Margaret Thatcher, to indicate that ‘if you need someone to speak about something, then get a man but if you need someone to do something, then get a woman.’
She too congratulated the newly formed group but warned them to seek to develop themselves before they seek to develop others.
She urged them to stick together and work hard at being leaders within the community.
She then officially launched the women’s group and wished them well in all of their endeavours.
Interspersed with the speeches were the invocation by Miss Gail Dore; opening remarks by chair person and Center Manager at the Community center, Ms Elmeader Brookes and a very well presented poem by little Ziondre Dore.
The group also rendered a well-received item in song.