Vigils for Estella

(CNS): As the country mourned after the murder of Estella Scott-Roberts on Friday night, 10 October, a candle-lit vigil was held a week later, on Friday evening, 17 October, on both Grand Cayman, where she lived and worked, and Cayman Brac, where she was raised. At both events, there were tears and tributes from friends and colleagues for someone who was never afraid to speak out, especially to combat violence against women. (Photo by Lennon Christian)

Around 300 people on Grand Cayman turned up at the Lions Centre, where some of the speakers reflected on their own personal stories of gender violence. On Cayman Brac, where many of the 150 or so people gathered outside the Cable and Wireless office at Stake Bay had known Estella all her life, there was an especial sense of the loss of “one of the Brac’s own”.

In a statement by Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPWC) President, Velma Powery-Hewitt, read by Dawn McLean-Sawney, she challenged all Brackers to make a firm commitment to resolve issues without violence and stand with the BPWC against domestic violence. Specifically, she challenged men to honour Estella and “take an active and vocal role in the Brac community to assist the young boys and men there.”

The statement read, “We must keep her light of hope alive, especially in the areas where she worked so tirelessly. We must be united so that her work can continue…One person can make a difference, and Estella gave us the perfect example of the ‘power of one’.”

(Photo: at the Lions Centre by Judy Singh)