NASSAU, The Bahamas – The contribution women make to the overall development of the country was recognised by the Rt Hon Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister, during the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs.
A luncheon ‘Promoting the Advancement of Women’ was held Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the British Colonial Hilton during which two women were honoured for their outstanding efforts toward nation building.
The honourees were: Mrs. Pauline Allen-Dean, a 35-year veteran in commercial and offshore banking. She is the first woman manager of a commercial bank, the first Bahamian woman to complete the Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers in London in 1973, and the first to be elected a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, 1983. She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami.
Mrs. Dean was the founding president of The Bahamas Consumer Protection Association, served the Red Cross for over 30 years and is a member of the Bahamas Public Service Commission. She retired as managing director of Bank of the Bahamas Ltd in December 2000 and has since formed a Project Financing Consultancy Company. She is an active member of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church and her hobbies include reading, jogging, and travelling with her husband Thomas Dean, an architect.
Assistant Commissioner Juanita Colebrooke is the first woman to serve in this capacity in the history of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. She began her career 42 years ago; her first postings were to the Central Division in 1967 and the Traffic Division in 1968. Her last posting was Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Complaints and Corruption.
Ms Colebrooke not only developed in all areas of policing but in leadership as well, having studied management courses in Nassau, England and Canada. She is an active member of the New Covenant Baptist Church and is an avid traveller and sports enthusiast.
Prime Minister Ingraham noted that The Bahamas participated in early meetings and conferences – the First World Conference of Women in Mexico City, which resulted in the declaration of the First Decade for Women 1975-1985. Amongst issues singled out were, equality, employment, education, health and legislation.
The Bahamas participated at these meetings and conferences and was represented by an icon of the struggle for women’s rights, Dame Dr. Doris Johnson, he said.
“It is an unfortunate and painful reality that when one seeks to equalise conditions that are glaringly offensive, the effort sometimes fail to attract support from those who would benefit,” the Prime Minister said.
This was demonstrated during the recent Government’s initiative to extend protection in law to married women who may be abused by their husbands, he said.
“Indeed, it appears that many in our society both male and female, are not yet convinced that women are equal; instead stubbornly holding on to outmoded and long discredited 19th Century social mores and laws which regarded women as chattel, incapable of making their own decisions and unqualified to vote, own property or defend themselves against the decisions of male relatives,” the Prime Minister said.
He deemed it only appropriate that on this anniversary, to acknowledge the Women’s Desk efforts joining regional and international initiatives meant to improve the status of women.
The Bureau also recognised students who participated in essay and poetry competitions. First place winner Laronda Gibson, Grade 11S2 of the Government High School wrote on the topic:” Teen Pregnancy – A Critical Look at the Problem and Effective ways to Address It” Second place finisher Beinka Rolle, Grade 12 of Arthur’s Town High School, Cat Island wrote on the topic; “My Silent Pain”; and third place finisher Olamide Olawoyin, Grade 11 N of St John’s College also wrote on the topic: “My Silent Pain”.
The Poetry participants were: Rodericka Collie, Grade 10 of the L N Coakley High School, Exuma who wrote on the topic: “My Silent Pain’; second place went to Devereau King, Grade 11 of Aquinas College who wrote on the topic: “Family Island Woman”; and third place finisher Khadijah Andrews, Grade 12 of Doris Johnson Senior High School also wrote on “My Silent Pain”. Honourable Mention: Ashley Robin Williams, Grade 8 of the Mangrove Cay High School, Andros who wrote on the topic: “My Silent Pain”.
By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
