In Observing Gender Affairs week 2019 under the theme, ‘Women of Faith, Hope & Love’, the activities started with the 3rd Annual Hats and Heels brunch on Sunday, March 4th, at the Ballroom Cuisinart Resort & Spa. This year’s inspirational speakers included Ife Badejo, a serial entrepreneur, innovator, speaker & more (St. Maarten); Jean M Dyer of JM Dyer & Co law firm (Anguilla); Josephine Gumbs-Connor of J.A.G. Gumbs & Co law firm (Anguilla), Mercedes “Elecktra” Van der Walls-Wyatt; radio personality (St. Maarten); and keynote speaker Andrea “Drea” Kelly, a professionally trained dancer, choreographer and ex-wife of R&B singer R. Kelly.
A sold-out event, the brunch saw attendees dressed in stylish hats and fascinators accompanied by beautiful outfits and heels to be inspired by motivational women. Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Education, Labour, Immigration, Human Right & Constitutional Affairs, Cora Richardson Hodge, remarked: “Being in a male-dominated area of the political arena has opened, my eyes to the differences in men and women in terms of priority, approach and how we conduct our job functions.” She went on, “These experiences have taught me over the past four years that we have some strides to go in addressing the mindsets and changing the mindsets by promoting gender equality in the political arena.” Director of Gender Affairs, Dr Ronya Foy-Connor, commented: “As the former Minister for Gender, Honourable Minister Cora Richardson-Hodge, under her leadership two of the most pivotal achievement in gender development was achieved: the passage of Anguilla’s First Domestic Violence Act and the United Nations Convention to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women was extended to Anguilla under her leadership.”
Each speaker highlighted an area of empowerment for women such as ‘Gender Equality in Economics – Women and Power’ presented by Ife Badejo. Ife stated, “There is no such thing as gender equality because I am not equal to a man but what we are is equal in value, and I am as valuable as a man, and he is as valuable as me.” Jean Dyer on the topic, ‘Women in the Legal Profession, surviving and thriving in a man’s world’ stated, “As women we have to develop a thick skin, entering a man’s world is no place for the weak.” She emphasized, “We need to support each other, and we must empower the women we encounter and help pull them up as we are climbing the ladder.” Josephine Gumbs-Connor, in her presentation on ‘Gender Equality in Politics’, stated, “Nobody is going to ask you to take a seat at the table; you must take it.” She went on, “Each one of us represents a story, and a brand, and that story and brand have value to inform and be political because life is political.” #Balanceforbetter presented by Mercedes ‘Elecktra’ Wyatt stated, “Your voice, do not silence it because it is your gateway – also do not simply strive for better but strive to be the best.”
As an advocate and survivor of domestic abuse Andrea Kelly stated: “As a victim, I was in the wilderness, afraid, lost, didn’t know who I was and I didn’t take responsibility. As a survivor, I have gotten away from my abuser, but I still haven’t taken responsibility, but as an advocate that is where I got my power back because I took responsibility.”
Attendees were also inspired by Miss Talented Teen 2018 Charisma Chin, in song, Miss ATU 2018, Regine Niles with her winning performance ‘Fat Girl’, and a captivating poem and song by Senoj Creations – Stages Anguilla.
Mrs Jade Raymond Richardson, President of Hat and Heels, in her closing remarks noted the struggles by the team bringing to fruition S.A.F.E (Stop.Abuse.For.Everyone), a domestic abuse hotline for persons in Anguilla. She explained this initiative has come with many setbacks over the past three years. However, through the Hats and Heels non-profit organization the hotline requires $ 75 000 to become fully functional. A surge of affinity by attendees of the event erupted as persons pledged what they could to reach this goal. Mrs Raymond-Richardson conveyed her thanks to all persons and attendees who made this event possible every year thus far. Persons interested in assisting this cause by mentoring, volunteering or donating could contact S.A.F.E by telephone: 729 7233 or email: hatsandheelsaxa@gmail.com.
