During the International Women’s Day service of celebration, on March 08, 2021, The University of The West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla, in its collaborated effort with the Anglican Church Women Association (ACWA), Gender Affairs Anguilla and The Anguilla Council of Women, honoured three of Anguilla’s centenarians. The service of celebration was under the theme, ‘Women: Embracing the legacy; continuing the journey’.
The three honourees were Mrs. Ursilla Connor, who is 107, Anguilla’s oldest resident who resides in South Hill, Mrs. Althea Richardson, a resident of North Hill who is 102; and Mrs. Miriam Hodge from Long Bay who is also 102.
The introduction to the honourees read in part, “Women’s participation and leadership impact every corner of this world and every aspect of every life. From rocking cradles to running boardrooms, and everything in between, women are present. There are breakthroughs to celebrate. There are still glass ceilings to be shattered, but with the many cracks that have been placed in the ceilings by women over the years, the ceilings will eventually crumble. While in some countries women remain underrepresented, we are fortunate in Anguilla to have women in leadership roles. We have such phenomenal examples of women, past and present. Many of us were raised by them, some are still being raised by them and some are raising phenomenal women. We must continue to push for transformative and lasting change for generations to come. Given the mandate to leave this lasting change, today we want to honour three of the women who have lived for several generations and on whose shoulders we all stand; women who are centenarians and from whom we can still learn much about the values of togetherness, support, and kindness to our fellow females. On this International Women’s Day we honour you. We thank you for setting an exemplary example for all women in our Anguillian community to follow.”
Each honouree was presented with a vibrant, beautiful bouquet of flowers from Black Orchid Florists and a certificate of appreciation. Mrs. Ursilla Connor was present at the ceremony, surrounded by family members and accepted her token of appreciation. Mrs. Althea Richardson was represented by her daughter Sarah Richardson and Mrs. Miriam Hodge was represented by her son, Mr. Oliver Hodge, with whom she now resides.
