Female heroes honoured

(CNS): According to the United Nations, no enduring solution to society’s most threatening problems can be found without the full participation and the full empowerment of the world’s women, and with this in mind the Empowerment and Community Development Agency (ECDA), formerly the Women’s Resource Centre, has organised Cayman’s 11thobservance of Honouring Women Month under the theme "Heroes Among Us".

“The theme recognises that there are ordinary women all around us, doing extraordinary things,” said ECDA Programme Officer Miriam Foster. ”The same women are often recognised in the local media, but there are so many other women whose lives have been a heroic journey. During this month we hope to honour all of those women, and thank them for leading lives that are an example to all.”

The month includes the celebration of the UN’s International Women’s Day on 8 March, and  Minister for Health and Human Services Anthony Eden, along with ECDA officials, will host a ceremony on Monday, 9 March, in front of the Government Administration Building.

During the ceremony, a Heroes Display will be unveiled and the poetry and photo contest winners will be announced. The guest speaker for International Women’s Day will be Yentel McGaw, former Miss Teen Cayman 2007 and current Miss Teen Worldwide Caribbean.

International Women’s Day dates back to the early 1900s and is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. Cayman’s celebration of Honouring Women Month also includes the Sunrise/Sunset 5K walk/run; Heroes Art Exhibit and Auction; educational sessions in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac; and sporting and business-focused activities.

On Monday evening (9 March) Books & Books, in conjunction with ECDA  is hosting a special event with guest speakers Marilyn Conolly, Susan Barnes, and Yentel McGraw and a large selection of books chosen by the Empowerment & Community Development Agency will be available for purchase at a 5 percent discount.

During the month, women will have access to discounts at various local stores and businesses and there will be a number of cultural and sporting events geared towards the theme. The month long celebration of women will end with a reception at Government House on the 31 March.