News & Culture
by Keresa Arnold
FemaleAchievements in 2011
Tawakul Karman, one of the 2011 Nobel Laureates
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchne
WOMEN RESHAPING GLOBAL POLITICS In Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was re-elected as the country’s president after a landslide victory. De Kirchner focused on human rights violations and made Argentina the first Latin American country to sanction same sex marriages. Not too far away in Brazil, another female president, Dilma Rousseff, has made it a priority to reduce corruption, dismissing five cabinet members and helping to introduce the Freedom to Information Act. In August, 44-year-old Yingluck Shinawatra became the first female prime minister of Thailand. Finland, Costa Rica, Australia, Iceland and Liberia also have female heads of government and Rwanda is the only country in the world that has proportionately more women in parliament. Here in Jamaica, 15 women were among those who sought nomination for Election Day. JAMAICAN IS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF ESSENCE MAGAZINE In March of this year, Jamaican-born Constance White was named editor-in-chief of Essence, the most popular magazine for black women in the US. White has a distinguished 20-year career in the magazine and fashion industries. The Meadowbrook High School alum formerly worked as eBay’s style director, brand consultant and spokesperson and is also the author of Stylenoir, a guidebook about black fashion. OPRAH BECOMES SECOND AFRICANAMERICAN WOMAN TO OWN NETWORK In 2011, Oprah Winfrey cancelled her namesake cable talk show after 25 years and launched out on her OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). She became the second African-American woman to head a network. Winfrey is the network’s chief executive officer, chief creative officer and chairman. In 2011, she was named Forbes’ 14th most powerful woman in the world. THREE WOMEN WIN NOBEL PEACE PRIZE Three women recently accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for their www.ezineslimited.com
Thai President Yingluck Shinawatra:
Essence Editor-in-Chief Constance White
work in peacekeeping and speaking out against injustices. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Africa’s first democratically-elected female president, Liberian Leymah Gbowee, women’s rights campaigner and Tawakkul Karman, who was significant in the protest movement in Yemen, shared the prize. Notably, Karman became the first Arab woman to win the prize and the youngest peace laureate ever at 32. The Nobel Prize has been awarded 44 times to women between 1901 and 2011.
Culture AT THE MOVIES NEW YEAR’S EVE If you’re a lover of romantic comedies, this is definitely a must-see. The film shows how the lives of several individuals are intertwined over the course of New Years Eve, and features a star-studded cast including Halle Berry, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro, Ashton Kutcher and others. NATIONAL PANTOMIME ANANSI AND GOAT HEAD SOUP Keep the Boxing Day tradition of going to pantomime alive and see Anansi and Goat Head Soup. The Little Theatre Movement’s National Pantomime will be celebrating its 70 anniversary with a tribute to theatre legend Ranny Williams. Anansi and Goat Head Soup is written by Barbara Gloudon, directed by Bobby Clarke, and features Ray Jarrett, Faith Bucknor, Doreen King, Cadine Hall and Kevin Halstead in the lead roles. WHERE TO GO FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT There’s nothing like a traditional Jamaican activity to warm the heart, forcing you to appreciate how blessed we are as a country. Featuring live entertainment and explosive fireworks, the event is held on New Year’s Eve and usually sees thousands gathering at the Kingston Harbour waterfront to usher in the new year. Your Style eZine
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