Poets, photographers and women heroes

(CNS):  Formerly the Women’s Resource Centre the Empowerment Community & Development Agency (ECDA) has said it is looking for nominations for women heroes as part of the March observance of ‘Honouring Women’ month. The public is now invited to nominate exemplary women as candidates for a display. “This year’s theme for Honouring Women Month is Heroes Among Us,” said Programme Officer Miriam Foster, of the ECDAan appropraite theme following the dedication of a new statue in Heroes Sqaure to women.

“The theme symbolises the idea that ordinary women all around us are doing extraordinary things. Often the same women are constantly recognised in the local media, but there are so many women whose lives have been a heroic journey, and who are an example to us all,” Foster explained.

Along side the search for heroes the agency is also holding a photography and poetry contest on the same theme.

Foster explained that many women here in Cayman can offer inspiration by doing ordinary things."One doesn’t have to look very far to become inspired by the work of a single mother trying to clothe and feed her kids and yet still managing a smile on her face,” she said. Photography and poetry are mediums in which individuals are able to more freely express their feelings about topics that are otherwise hard to convey. “So by entering these competitions, participants will bring to light the many issues affecting women in our society,” Foster added.  

There are two age categories 14 to 17 years, and 18 years and older. Everyone in those age ranges is invited to participate. “We expect that the contests should generate a lot of participation from community members,” Foster said.

Winning entries will be displayed at various Honouring Women’s Month events. First, second and third-prize winners will respectively collect $100, $75 and $50. Poetry contest awards are sponsored by Orchid Development, while an anonymous supporter has donated funds to cover the photography prizes. 

The deadline for submission is Monday, 23 February at 5:00 pm and each entry must be accompanied by an entry form, which can be found online at www.wrc.gov.ky, or collected from the Empowerment Community & Development Agency (formerly the Women’s Resource Centre) office in Elizabethan Square, Ground Floor.

The deadline for nomination of heroes s is also 23 February nomination forms and a digital picture of the hero can be submitted  by e-mail to Miriam.Foster@gov.ky or by hand to the office.

 The forms are available online at www.wrc.gov.ky and at the ECDA office.  

The photographic heroes display will be unveiled at the International Women’s Day Ceremony on Monday, 9 March.