Tuesday, 3 March 2020 (North Side, Anguilla) On Sunday, March 1st, I attended the Hats & Heels event held at CuisinArt Resort. What an inspirational programme to start off Women’s Week 2020 on Anguilla. Had it not been for the invitation extended by a sister-friend who received tickets from another sister-friend, and was instructed to invite two women to this celebration of women empowering women, I wouldn’t have been there. I wholeheartedly express my sincere thanks and gratitude to these two sister-friends as well as to the organizing committee, sponsors, volunteers, speakers, presenters, performers, entertainers, servers, honourees, and everyone who attended – including the six men who were present.
The Hats & Heels affair included some phenomenal words spoken and sung by women ranging in age from youth to elders. I was impressed by what was said regarding the importance of a woman’s voice and gender equality in today’s world, women’s activism and women’s rights within the hospitality sector. Young women, like Ms Carencia Rouse, Acting Director of Gender Affairs, and Ms Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers, spoke passionately about matters that concern all of us, particularly in this day and age. I give thanks to the middle aged and older sisters, such as Ms Cassandra Richardson from Sint Maarten; Ms Dorla Hodge and Dr Oluwakemi Linda Banks for sharing their wisdom and life-long learning experiences. They too had much to say regarding women’s affairs and gender equity.
Since attending Hats & Heels, I’ve been contemplating inner thoughts about women who have been a part of my life – and the status of women in the Anguilla community as well as worldwide. We, as women, still have a far way to go in equalising our rights as humans. In 2020, no matter where we live globally, we continue to experience male-dominated societies in which women are challenged to reach our full potential and to be our whole selves. Many people might attribute this mind-set to men, but the reality is that women are oftentimes the persons who give women a harder time than the men. We need to shift our perspectives and recognise that we, women, are all sisters and work on supporting, uplifting, caring for, and loving one another. The same is true for the men.
As an advocate for not only women’s rights, but human rights, I know the importance of voicing truths that need to be verbalised and addressed. Stepping into this new decade of 2020–2030, we, as women and men, are emboldened to create changes that will enhance ourselves, our lives, our families, our community and our world. We are encouraged to shine the love and light of the Most-High which resonate within each of our souls. And we are asked to see God in each person, to be sisters to our sisters, and brothers to our brothers – caring, loving, respecting and supporting one another as we reach for higher heights of consciousness, living Christ-like lives as much as possible.
Dare we to be who God created us to be rather than running with the pack of humanity behaving like everyone else – or dare we to be exceptional. When we stand strong in our true authentic selves, we are able to be stronger not only for ourselves, but for others as well. It is then that we are capable of becoming healthier and whole souls in human forms where the yin and the yang of gender equality becomes a natural balanced part of our lives. Girls and boys, as well as women and men, will then have equal opportunities, equal pay, equal rights – and all a’ we will combine our gifts and talents to create a better world in which we shall live.
As the Author and Poet Dr Maya Angelou wrote, “I am a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman. That’s me.” We are all phenomenal women, men, girls and boys whomever we choose to be. Choose to be a sister to a sister or a brother to a brother. May God guide us in becoming more evolved, creating authenticity that each of us yearns for, so our appearances and personalities are able to blend into oneness.
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Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media—Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
