Dr. Ronya Foy Connor (front middle)
Efforts are now well underway toward reviving the somewhat dormant Anguilla National Council of Women (NCW). A new Executive Board was elected on 15 October. One of the first steps taken by the new executive was to hold a meeting on 19 October with Minister of Home Affairs and Gender, Hon. Cora Richardson- Hodge and her Ministerial Assistant, Hon. Evalie Bradley. The NCW briefed the Minister on their vision for the organisation, including possible initiatives for the coming year and a working partnership with the Gender Affairs Unit.
Minister Richardson-Hodge took the opportunity to congratulate the NCW for resurging this umbrella organization focused on empowering women on the island. Ministerial Assistant Bradley added that she looks forward to the upcoming programmes and activities of the NCW since it is an instrumental organisation committed to the development of women.
Also present at the meeting were Principal Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Kenneth Hodge, and Gender Development Coordinator, Dr. Ronya Foy Connor, who chaired the meeting. Dr. Foy Connor indicated that she is ready to serve as a liaison between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Council of Women as they surge forward in developing an action plan focused on the holistic advancement of women.
The new Executive Board of the National Council of Women includes:
President: Ursil Webster Brooks
Vice President: Hyacinth T. Hughes
Secretary: Melissa Hamm
Treasurer: Veda Harrigan
Public Relations Officer: Karen Pina
Member: Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks
Member: Dr. Lana Hoyoung
Member: Ruth Niles
Member: Bronte Hazell
Newly-elected NCW President, Ursil Webster Brooks, thanked the interim committee of the NCW for their service and for assisting in building the Council over the past 30 years. President Brooks noted that the NCW will continue realising the objectives of the National Council of Women which include:
(a) To promote understanding and unity among the women of Anguilla in pursuit of their common objectives, regardless of race, colour, class or creed;
(b) To provide information and assistance to achieve equal status for women in economic, civil, educational and political life;
(c) To assist women in becoming involved in both voluntary and income-generating activities;
(d) To promote friendly relations, tolerance and understanding among women’s organisations of the country;
(e) To stimulate interest and encourage the participation of trained women with specialised knowledge and technical skill in the business of governmental organisations.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
