Leadership is not measured by the titles we hold, but by the lives we touch and the opportunities we create for others.
That was the message delivered by Minister of Social Services, Senator the Hon. Barbara Cartwright, as she addressed an audience of distinguished women during the Global LeadHERship Empowerment Network Awards Luncheon on Saturday, August 8, at the Compass Rose Ballroom, Margaritaville Beach Resort.
Addressing an audience of women whose achievements have helped shape the national landscape, Minister Cartwright described the gathering as one where “history was sitting all around the room.” She reminded attendees that while awards recognize achievement, legacy recognizes influence, adding that true leadership is about “leaving things better than we found them — better families, better communities, better institutions and a better Bahamas.”
The elegant luncheon, hosted by Dr. Brenda Pratt, Founder and President of the Global LeadHERship Empowerment Network, celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of Bahamian women whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact across government, law, business, healthcare, sports and community development. The event was held under the patronage of Her Excellency the Most Honourable Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
The ceremony opened with a heartfelt invocation by Reverend Helen McPhee, who offered prayers for the honourees, their continued leadership and service, and God’s blessings upon the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Internationally acclaimed leadership strategist, humanitarian, bestselling author and former Bermuda Senator Dr. Cindy Trimm inspired attendees with a global perspective on leadership, who challenged attendees to embrace an elevation mindset and prepare themselves for increase. She encouraged women to position themselves for greater opportunities by cultivating vision, purpose and the confidence to rise to new levels of leadership.
Delivering the luncheon keynote address was Shannon Lady Ighodaro, a Bahamian native whose journey from Nassau to elected public office in the United States inspired the audience to embrace leadership, service and civic engagement.
Born at Princess Margaret Hospital and raised in Montell Heights, Ighodaro, whose maiden name is Hanna, became the first Bahamian elected to the Miami Gardens City Council, serving one of the largest majority-Black cities in the United States with a population of approximately 120,000 residents. She is currently a candidate for the Florida Senate.
Encouraging women to recognize the power of public service, Ighodaro said politics is fundamentally about people, information and the equitable distribution of resources.
“Politics connects you to people, information, resources and the distribution of those resources,” she said.
She also reminded attendees that a single vote can alter the course of history.
“One vote can change the course of history,” she said, before adding that ultimately, “the main vote we need is from God.”
Leaving the audience with one of the afternoon’s most memorable reflections, Ighodaro concluded, “Titles will fade, but the way you treat people will last.”
Honoured during the luncheon were Her Excellency the Right Honourable Ruby Ann Cooper-Darling; Dame Janet Bostwick, DBE; the Honourable Italia Johnson; the Honourable Glenys Hanna-Martin; the Honourable Melanie Griffin; Allyson Maynard Gibson, KC; the Honourable J. LaShell Adderley; the Honourable Leslia Miller-Brice; Sharon Wilson, KC; Pleasant Bridgewater; Dr. Lanisha Rolle; the Honourable Patricia Deveaux; Justice Hope Strachan; the Honourable Cleola Hamilton; the Honourable Verna Grant; Shonel Ferguson; the Honourable Lisa Rahming; the Honourable Pakesia Parker Edgecombe; and the Honourable Juanianne Dorsett.
Responding on behalf of the honourees, former Minister of Social Services, the Hon. Melanie Griffin, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition and encouraged women to continue leading with purpose, integrity and compassion, reminding them that their greatest legacy is the lives they inspire.
Moderated by Dr. Deborah Bartlett, the elite event served as a celebration of excellence, perseverance and service, honouring women whose leadership continues to inspire future generations and whose collective legacy has helped shape the story of The Bahamas.
Source: Felicity Darville
