Editor's Note
There is a woman in your neighbourhood right now who has not slept properly in three days. She is running a food pantry, organising a fundraiser, sitting with a grieving family, or quietly making sure someone else's child gets a hot meal before school. She will not make the headlines. She will not receive an award. But she is the connective tissue of our communities — and this edition is, first and always, for her.
International Women's Day 2026 arrives under a United Nations theme that we at ADVO receive as both a challenge and a charge: Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls. Not the celebrated few. Not the already powerful. ALL of us.
In this Special Edition, we are proud to spotlight women who have climbed extraordinary heights — not on clear paths, but through barriers, bias, boardroom doors that required a shoulder to break through, and glass ceilings that left cuts on the way up. Their stories are not comfortable. They are honest. And that honesty is exactly what this moment demands.
We are also thrilled to bring you something rare — the voices of prominent women in their own words. Across these pages, you will find exclusive clips: women sharing their statements, their
experiences, their unfiltered beliefs about where we are as a society, and the urgent, unflinching truth of where we must go. These are not soundbites curated for comfort. They are testimonies forged in real life.
ADVO Magazine is built on that same spirit of unfiltered truth. We are a Caribbean publication — rooted in Barbados, reaching the diaspora in New York and beyond — and we are run and operated by two women who believe deeply that our region's stories deserve to be told with the depth, dignity, and fire they carry. We are Samantha Smith and Sandra Clarke — Sam and San — editors, storytellers, and unapologetic advocates for the Caribbean voice on the world stage. Every issue we produce is a labour of love and a statement of purpose.
This one, perhaps more than any other, is personal.
To the women in the charities, the community kitchens, the crisis centres, and the church halls — we see you. To the trailblazers on our cover and throughout these pages — we honour you. And to every woman reading this, wherever you are in your journey — we stand with you.
Rights. Justice. Action. Let's go. With love and purpose,
Sam & San
"Unlocking
the Caribbean story — one woman at a time."
Happy International Women's Day, Samantha & Sandra.
From the Designer and the rest of the ADVO Team
Justice. Action.
This International Women’s Day, the Caribbean stands at the intersection of a global call to arms — and we have more than a little skin in the game.
Every March, the world pauses to celebrate the achievements of women and recommit to the unfinished work of equality. But International Women's Day 2026 arrives with a sharper edge and a more urgent pulse. The United Nations has set the tone with a theme that refuses to be polite about it: "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls."
It is not a slogan. It is a reckoning.
Globally, women hold just 64 percent of the legal rights that men enjoy. At the current pace of progress, it will take 286 years to close the gaps in legal protection. For those of us living in the Caribbean — where our grandmothers organised, marched, and built the foundations of independent nations often without a title or a salary — that figure is not abstract. It lands.
The theme anchors this year's commemoration to the Commission on the Status of Women's 70th Session — CSW70 — convening at United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 9 to 19. The priority focus is on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. At its heart is a confrontation with uncomfortable truths: that laws on paper do not guarantee justice in practice; that discriminatory legislation, weak enforcement, and deeply
entrenched social norms continue to rob women and girls of safety, dignity, and agency; and that structural barriers — cost, geography, stigma, and impunity — keep millions locked out of the very systems designed to protect them.
For the Caribbean, this resonates at every level.
We are a region that has produced extraordinary women leaders — heads of state, chief justices, central bank governors, and diplomats of international renown. Yet in our communities, on our blocks, behind our closed doors, the statistics tell a harder story. Genderbased violence remains a critical public health and human rights crisis across CARICOM nations. Women and girls in rural communities frequently lack meaningful access to legal aid. Cultural norms around what a woman should "bear" and what she should "take to court" still silence too many. And while our legislatures increasingly include women, the justice systems that serve — or fail — ordinary women remain stubbornly resistant to transformation.
This edition of ADVO does not look away from any of that. Rights. Justice. Action. These are not aspirational words for us. They are a compass.
SHE LEADS THE COMMONWEALTH and She Looks Like One of Us
The Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Awoman whose appointment sent a quiet but powerful signal to every Caribbean girl watching the world stage: The Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Born in Ghana and shaped by more than two decades of distinguished diplomacy, Hon. Botchwey made history when she assumed office on 1 April 2025 as the first woman from Africa to lead the Commonwealth — and only the second
woman ever to do so, following the trail blazed by Baroness Patricia Scotland, herself a daughter of Dominica. That this succession — from one woman to another, from a Caribbean nation to an African one, both from the Global South — is no accident of history. It is a statement.
Prior to her appointment, she served as Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for seven years, during which she chaired the Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, led
strategic responses to security crises in West Africa, and modernised Ghana's diplomatic service. She brings to the Commonwealth role not just seniority, but a deeply held commitment to the smallest and most vulnerable member states — a commitment the Caribbean knows is not merely rhetorical. In October 2025, she stood at the podium in Bridgetown, Barbados, to open the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. Last month, she delivered a statement at the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. This Secretary-General is not a stranger to our shores or our struggles.
And the Commonwealth's next chapter is being written on Caribbean soil. CHOGM 2026 — the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting — will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, under the theme "Accelerating Partnerships and
Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth." For the first time in memory, the Commonwealth's most consequential gathering will convene in our backyard, led by a SecretaryGeneral who has already declared that this CHOGM must be a summit of delivery — rooted in democracy, climate action, trade, and opportunity for all.
The Commonwealth is our family. The head of that family is a woman who understands the weight of leading as an African, as a woman, and as a voice for nations too often spoken about rather than spoken with.
In a year when the United Nations calls on the world to demand rights, justice, and action for ALL women, the Caribbean deserves to see that a woman from our part of the global village is sitting at the head of a very significant table.
This issue is for every woman in Barbados and across the diaspora who has been told the system was not built for her. It is for every girl in the Eastern Caribbean still waiting for a justice system that believes her. It is for every woman in leadership navigating spaces not designed with her in mind.
Rights. Justice. Action. Not eventually. Not symbolically. Now.
The VersionsManyof Us
The Courage to Evolve as Women
by Keisha Blades
Some changes are visible. Others happen quietly, deep wiwthin. Women evolve in seasons, sometimes unseen, but always courageous.
There was a season in my life when I knew I was becoming someone different.
The shift wasn’t loud. There was no announcement, no milestone to mark it. But internally, something had moved. My priorities felt sharper, my ambitions clearer, my tolerance for what no longer served me narrower. And yet, everything around me looked the same. People still saw who I had been. Expectations hadn’t adjusted. The spaces I occupied hadn’t changed. I was evolving, but I didn’t yet know where this new version of me fit. Growth felt isolating. Becoming felt confusing and uncomfortable.
“Growth felt isolating. Becoming felt confusing. And yet, I knew I was evolving.”w
The Discomfort of Evolution
This is the quiet tension many women experience. Evolution often arrives first in the mind and the heart, long before the world has caught up. The more we grow internally, the more the familiar can feel alien, and the more we realize that transformation rarely announces itself. It is subtle, gradual, and sometimes unsettling.
Outgrowing the Old Version
To evolve is to outgrow old versions of ourselves, and that requires courage. It is the willingness to step into spaces where we are not yet fully known. It is the quiet acknowledgment that we may not fit the molds that once defined us. The gap between who we were and who we are becoming can feel disorienting, yet it is precisely in that space that transformation takes root.
Holding Contradictions
Becoming a new version of ourselves does not mean leaving our previous selves behind entirely. It means learning to hold contradictions: strength and softness, ambition and doubt, clarity and uncertainty. Change is rarely linear. Growth can be layered, messy, cyclical, or hidden in plain sight.
“The courage to evolve as women is not about milestones, it’s about outgrowing identities that once fit.”
Eventually, the confusion softens. The isolation lifts. We find language for who we are becoming, and slowly, our environment begins to reflect the shifts within us. But evolution does not end. There is no final version of us. There will always be another layer, another shift, another season that stretches us beyond what we once thought possible.
The courage to evolve as women is about allowing ourselves to outgrow identities that once fit and not just about breaking barriers or achieving milestones. It is about sitting in the discomfort of not yet knowing. And it is about trusting that confusion is often the beginning of clarity.
“We are not meant to remain who we were. We are meant to become.”
MESSAGE FROM THE SPOUSE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength and amazing contributions of women and girls globally.
Women continue to shape our nation. We shape it with courage, compassion, and conviction. Our leadership strengthens families, drives innovation, nurtures future generations, and builds stronger communities.
Today, we honour the women who paved the way, who are leading today, and the young girls who are preparing to take their place in a
Mrs. Ann Marie Davis
Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas
world full of possibilities. Let us encourage our daughters to dream boldly and support our sisters in their ambitions.
We need to continue to create spaces where women are heard, valued, protected, and empowered to thrive. When women are supported, nations prosper. Education and encouragement for girls transform their destinies.
Today is both a celebration and a call to action. A celebration of accomplishments attained through determination. And a call to continue constructing a society where women are encouraged and given every opportunity to advance and lead.
May we continue to uplift one another and work together toward the Bahamas, and moreover, a world, where every woman and girl can realize her full potential.
Happy International Women’s Day!
A Message From The Hon.Adrian Forde, M.P.,
Minister Of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs
To celebrate
International Women’s Day 2026.
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Today, Barbados proudly joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls.” This theme embodies the bold and transformative mandate of the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, which champions vulnerable and marginalised groups including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities and, through the Bureau of Gender Affairs, tirelessly works to ensure that women and girls are equipped with meaningful opportunities that foster empowerment and advance gender equality.
RIGHTS
In line with the historic 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, which emphatically declared that women’s rights are human rights, Barbados has committed to radically improving the lives and opportunities of women and girls. The country has since acceded to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Belém do Pará Convention, which specifically targets the scourge of gender-based violence. These agreements are instrumental in safeguarding and promoting the fundamental rights of women and girls.
Barbados has made remarkable progress ensuring that women and girls are free from discrimination and that opportunities are not determined by gender. Women and girls in Barbados have the right to:
» Access transformative education to reach their fullest potential
» Live free from fear and violence
» Receive fair and equal pay for equal work
» Participate fully and meaningfully in public and political life
JUSTICE
The Ministry continues to champion justice, grounded in protection, accountability, and dignity. Despite robust anti-domestic violence laws, women and girls continue to face the persistent threat of domestic and gender-based violence. Achieving justice demands swift, sensitive, and unwavering responses from law enforcement and the judiciary, while also tackling the entrenched root causes of violence, including harmful gender norms.
Engaging men and boys is essential to building a culture of respect, reinforcing that true strength is not dominance, and that equality is non-negotiable. Public education and awareness remain vital in creating the deep cultural transformation needed to end gender-based violence.
ACTION
Rights and justice must be reinforced by decisive, tangible action. Through the Bureau of Gender Affairs, the Ministry has implemented bold initiatives to empower women and girls, including:
» Establishing the National Committee on Gender-Based Violence and developing a comprehensive National Plan of Action
» Hosting a National Consultation on Domestic Violence in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General
» Implementing the Partnership for Peace Programme, equipping male perpetrators with conflict resolution skills and non-violent approaches
» Collaborating with the Small Business Association to deliver
targeted entrepreneurship training for women and girls
» Launching the “Share the Care” Campaign to tackle unequal domestic and caregiving responsibilities
» Engaging secondary school students on critical gender issues
» Hosting dynamic workshops to cultivate and empower young female leaders
The Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to gender equality and the promotion of human rights and justice for all women and girls.
International Women’s Day not only celebrates the invaluable contributions of women to national development but also recognises extraordinary Barbadian women, including the Most Honourable Kerry-Ann Ifill, appointed Human Rights Commissioner in 2025, the first to hold the office and Ms. Sonia Boyce, appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Today, as we stand in solidarity with women in Barbados and across the globe, let us renew our commitment to protecting rights, advancing justice, and building a more equitable and inclusive future for all women and girls.
As Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, I warmly wish all Barbadian women and women around the world a Happy International Women’s Day.
China Honours Women Who Lead the Way
The All-China Women's Federation honoured over a thousand outstanding women and groups in a landmark ceremony marking the annual observance of March 8. Beijing, March 2026
Apowerful tribute to women across every walk of life, China held a sweeping national celebration in Beijing on March 2, 2026, putting the spotlight firmly on the women shaping its future. The All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) convened a high-profile ceremony to recognise exceptional women across every sector of Chinese society — from industry and science to the arts and public service.
In total, 607 individuals, 400 groups and 600 workplaces received awards
at the event, a recognition that spanned the full breadth of Chinese civic and professional life. The awardees, granted the distinguished national title of “pacemakers,” represent women who have not only excelled in their own fields but have actively contributed to the advancement of others around them.
“Engage deeply in global governance — and share Chinese wisdom in advancing women’s causes worldwide.”
— State Councilor Shen Yiqin,
President of the ACWF
Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, who also serves as president of the ACWF, addressed the gathering with a message that balanced national ambition with global solidarity. She extended congratulations to the honourees and called on women across the country to contribute actively to high-quality national development — and to work with dedication toward China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, covering the years 2026 to 2030.
But Shen’s remarks reached beyond China’s borders. She urged women to engage deeply in global governance and to carry Chinese perspectives into international conversations about the advancement of women and the progress of human civilisation. Her address underscored a growing emphasis within Chinese policy circles on positioning women not just as beneficiaries of development, but as drivers of it — both domestically and on the world stage.
The ceremony speaks to a moment when the global conversation around women’s rights and gender equity has never been more urgent. The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2026 — “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” — captures the collective resolve of nations, civil society organisations, and individuals to close the gaps that persist in opportunity, representation and safety. China’s national tribute, with its scale and formal state backing, reflects how deeply that resolve is being institutionalised at the highest levels of government.
For the women honoured in Beijing, the recognition is more than ceremonial. It is an acknowledgment that their work — in communities, laboratories, boardrooms and beyond — forms the bedrock of a society in motion. Their stories offer a timeless reminder that the progress of women is, and has always been, the progress of us all.
Women role models, who were granted the title of national “pacemakers,” ahead of International Women’s Day in Beijing, China
YES ShE Can!
The mission oF roberTA rose-CoLLins
By Bavina Sookdeo
For those of us who have worn hand-medowns, we know the value — and just how precious it is — to receive something that makes us feel seen, chosen and worthy. We know the gratitude of slipping into an outfit that carries possibility. It is this understanding — of dignity, of confidence, of what it means to feel beautiful and empowered — that drives Roberta Rose-Collins’ work with girls and women across Trinidad and Tobago. Rose-Collins has made it her mission to remind women and girls that yes, they can.
At 52, she stands as one of only two National BoardCertified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBC-HWC) in
Trinidad and Tobago — a credential held by just 13,000 coaches worldwide. Certified through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, her journey into wellness advocacy began in crisis.
Born in Mon Repos, Trinidad she spent years battling unexplained health challenges before finally being diagnosed in 2013 with Celiac Disease, a genetic autoimmune disorder. Coupled with multiple surgeries and a history of poor health, the diagnosis became a turning point. What followed was transformation. She began walking. She changed her diet. She committed to herself. Within nine months, she went from sedentary living to completing the UWI Half Marathon in 2014.
“The idea of Yes She Can came to me after completing the UWI half marathon in 2014,” she shared. “Living healthier gave me a type of freedom and happiness that I had not experienced before… I think that for the first time in my life, I was doing something for me. This was too good to keep to myself and I wanted to share with others.”
And so, on International Women’s Day 2015, her NGO, ‘Yes She Can’ was born. More than a wellness group, Rose-Collins told ADVO that ‘Yes She Can’ is a sisterhood, a support system and a safe space.
In recent years, Rose-Collins has also begun hosting events focused on menopause awareness and support, inspired by her own deeply challenging
“Living healthier gave me a type of freedom and happiness that I had not experienced before… I think that for the first time in my life, I was doing something for me. This was
too
good to keep to myself.”
experience. She entered surgical menopause at just 24 years old and endured 26 years of symptoms before finally finding relief. Having lived through that long and often isolating journey, she is now committed to creating spaces where women can access information, understanding and community. This year, she plans to host a conference dedicated to addressing the different forms of support women need at the various stages of their lives — recognising that each phase brings its own unique physical, emotional and mental changes.
“Poor health puts a significant strain on the social, economic and productive prosperity of a society,” she explained. “Yes She Can’s focus is on women as we believe that by educating and encouraging adult women on the benefits of making healthier choices, the entire family and by extension our society, will lead a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.”
Her approach recognises that when you empower a woman, you uplift generations. The organisation has trained women for triathlons, dragon boat races locally and internationally,
and built a community that stretches as far as Hong Kong. It has hosted International Women’s Conferences and created campaigns that spread kindness, such as Share Happiness — where flowers were distributed to commuters with instructions to “pay it forward.”
Rose-Collins also launched the Blessing Bag Campaign, an initiative focused on collecting and distributing ladies’ handbags filled with essential toiletries and personal care items for homeless women and others in need. The campaign was carried out in collaboration with the San Fernando City Corporation and the Mayor’s Office, with the bags distributed as part of their “Day of Caring” outreach efforts.
Even men are welcomed into the ‘Yes She Can’ movement. “Men also empower
women through support,” Rose-Collins noted. “When I first started to work towards living healthier, my husband supported my journey all the way. This allowed me to explore without reservation.”
If ‘Yes She Can’ strengthens women from the inside out, ‘Royalty for a Night’ ensures that young girls step into womanhood with confidence and pride.
Managed by ‘Yes She Can’ since 2017, Royalty for a Night collects gently used and new formal attire for graduating secondary school students who cannot afford to attend their graduation balls. But it is not simply about dresses and suits. It is about belonging.
On distribution days, students are welcomed into a boutique-style
setting where they browse racks of garments, select accessories, and participate in life-skills sessions. “They are treated not as charity cases, but as young queens and kings deserving of celebration” said Rose-Collins.
There is no obligation to return the items. Instead, students are encouraged to “pay it forward” when they are able — creating a cycle of generosity that mirrors the sisterhood ‘Yes She Can’ embodies.
Rose-Collins explained that for many girls, graduation is their first formal event — a milestone marking the end of childhood and the beginning of new dreams. Royalty for a Night ensures that financial hardship does not rob them of that memory. It ensures that for one night, at least, they feel radiant. And sometimes, that feeling lasts a lifetime.
Like many grassroots initiatives, ‘Yes She Can’ has faced funding challenges. Sponsors do not always come through. Ideas are sometimes replicated without support. Yet RoseCollins persists, her resilience mirrors the very women she champions.
Through partnerships, volunteerism and determination, she continues to create spaces where women can be authentic, vulnerable and supported. “We live in a world where women are expected to just ‘push through without complaining’” she said as she encouraged others, “Through your interventions, create a safe and supportive environment where women feel comfortable being
genuine and authentic, foster openness and encourage vulnerability.”
Rose-Collins lives by the motto ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ and she is certainly doing that by helping women and girls cross finish lines they once thought impossible. Her message on International Women’s Day is “We are stronger together. Let us celebrate the power of community in uplifting and empowering women worldwide. Together we can break barriers, support one another and create a more inclusive and equitable world. Our strength lies in our unity so let us continue to stand together and lift each other up.”
Story by: Bavina Sookdeo Writer/Media Consultant
A Statement From Dr. Simona Marinescu UN Senior Advisor CEO of the IDCA.
As we mark International Women's Day, I reflect with gratitude and excitement on my recent appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the International Data Center Authority Global Foundation. My career in international development and diplomacy has taken me across many regions and
communities, all seeking ways to build stronger institutions, resilient economies, and opportunities for their people. Today, another dimension of development is unfolding. Digital infrastructuresdata centers, connectivity networks, cloud platforms, and high-performance computingnow stand alongside roads, ports, and power systems as core foundations of modern economies.
The work of the Foundation focuses on helping countries design and build these digital foundations. This includes supporting national strategies for digital infrastructure, encouraging education pathways that prepare young people for emerging technology
professions, and promoting trusted standards that make digital investments sustainable and globally connected.
International Women’s Day is a reminder that the digital future must be shaped by diverse voices. Women belong at the heart of this transformation as they continue to excel as engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
The technologies of this era will shape how societies grow, learn, and connect. Ensuring that women help build that future is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Gemma Sees the Gems in Paediatric Care
In recognition of International Women’s Day, paediatrician Gemma Bovell is encouraging young women to pursue their ambitions boldly, even in the face of doubt, as she reflects on her own journey into medicine and the challenges shaping children’s health today. Bovell, who practises community paediatrics, describes herself as “a very determined and resilient person”, qualities she says were essential in navigating the hurdles along her professional path.
“I faced a lot of challenges when it came to [my] profession, but I managed to break through and in the end became a paediatrician,” she shared in a recent interview with AdvoMag.
Now working primarily in office-based paediatrics rather than in a hospital setting, Bovell is preparing to further her training. “I’m hoping to do a fellowship in July in Canada,” she revealed, signalling her commitment to expanding her expertise.
Her typical workday is a blend of routine care and acute concerns. “I will go into the office for about five hours. In that time, I see a mixture of kids; they come in just for their routine visits, make sure that they’re doing well developmentally,
“Just go for it. Do not wait until you feel completely confident because none of us will ever do. Medicine and
paediatrics,
especially, is learned through presence and experience."
and growing well, give them their shots, their vaccines, and any questions the parents have at that time, I will answer.”
Alongside developmental checks and vaccinations, she treats common childhood ailments. “Common things that I would see would be like gastro… they might need IV fluids… I also see the wheezing child, so they might need the nebulization… or even just the common cold,” she explained, adding with a smile, “As you know, children, they’re sweet, but they do not know how to wash their hands or sanitize, so they get sick quite frequently.”
While she describes her career as exciting and fulfilling, Bovell admits she is troubled by trends emerging internationally, particularly growing vaccine hesitancy among parents.
“What’s happening on the international scene, especially the US, people are
more resistant to, are more hesitant to immunize their kids and [some] parents here are now taking that stance as
“Paediatrics is a specialty that is grounded in nurturing and advocacy… sometimes even though the parents might want one thing, I still have to advocate for the child."
well. It’s just really to educate them and try to dispel the myth,” she said.
She expressed concern that complacency could undo decades of progress. “Once upon a time we would not even think about these vaccine preventable diseases, because the vaccines were doing their job,” she noted. Recounting a recent conversation with a parent who pointed out there is no measles in Barbados, Bovell responded: “Yes, because most of the children are still immunized, but if we start going the route like the other countries with regards to not vaccinating our kids, then measles will eventually appear here.”
She also referenced the long-debunked claim linking the MMR vaccine to autism. “There was the big myth that MMR caused autism, which was dispelled, but it’s out there… and that is how we’re getting this outbreak of measles going on.”
Beyond clinical care, Bovell views paediatrics as deeply relational work. “Paediatrics is a very difficult specialty,” she said. “You’re not only dealing with one patient, you’re dealing with the child and their parents. It’s a specialty that is grounded in nurturing and advocacy… sometimes even though the parents might want one thing, I still have to advocate for the child.”
Her advice to young women considering the field is simple but powerful: “Just go
for it. Do not wait until you feel completely confident because none of us will ever do. Medicine and paediatrics, especially, is learned through presence and experience.”
She urged aspiring doctors to “ask questions, seek mentors who uplift you and allow yourself to learn, not only from textbooks, but from the children and
the parents themselves,” emphasising that “empathy is so important.”
On a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements, Bovell’s story stands as a testament to resilience, compassion and the quiet but vital work of safeguarding the next generation.
Leading with Service: Zelma’s Lifelong Commitment to Community
Each year, the world pauses to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women on International Women’s Day. It is a time not only to honour global icons but also to recognize the women within our own communities whose quiet dedication continues to make a meaningful difference.
One such woman is Zelma Daisley, a devoted community servant, cultural ambassador, and long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club of Barbados South. For more than two decades,
she has embodied the spirit of service, leadership, and compassion that International Women’s Day celebrates.
Zelma has been a Kiwanian since May 2000, and throughout those years she has fully embraced what she calls “the life of being a K,” sharing that experience with others while working to uplift communities across Barbados and beyond.
Her commitment to service began long before she joined Kiwanis. Educated at St Paul’s Primary School and The Garrison Secondary School, Zelma developed a strong foundation in community involvement from an early age. As a member of the Brownies, she demonstrated exceptional dedication and earned the movement’s top Brownie award — an early sign of the leadership and selflessness that would shape her future.
Culture and Arts
Culture and the arts also played an important role in her life. Through her involvement with Yoruba Yard and the Barbados Dance Theatre, Zelma showcased her love for dance while sharing Caribbean culture with both local and international audiences. In 1979, she proudly represented
Barbados at the Carifesta in Cuba through the National Cultural Festival.
Kiwanis Service
Within Kiwanis, Zelma’s service has been both extensive and impactful. She has served on numerous committees and held almost every leadership role within her club, including Assistant SecretaryTreasurer, Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect, and Club Secretary. During the 2005–2006 administrative year, her outstanding work earned her the title of Distinguished Secretary.
Her leadership reached a defining moment during the 2016–2017 Kiwanis year when she served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Barbados South. Under her guidance, the club achieved Distinguished Club status at both the District and International levels — a milestone that remains a proud accomplishment.
During her presidency, Zelma also played a key role in expanding Kiwanis’ regional footprint. She helped lead her club to sponsor the Kiwanis Club of St Andrew Grenada and was instrumental in chartering the K-Kids Club at Warrens Primary School, where she served as Kiwanis Advisor.
What she is Up to Today
Today, she continues to serve the organisation at a broader level as Assistant District Administrator within the Kiwanis Caribbean Atlantic District, supporting Builders Clubs and K-Kids programmes across the region and helping
to shape the next generation of leaders.
Outside of Kiwanis, Zelma’s life reflects a rich balance of professional achievement and personal dedication. A finance professional by training and a former national netballer, she is also a proud mother of one son. In her spare time she enjoys sporting activities, attending church on Sundays, and spending time with friends.
Her dedication to community service continues to be recognised. In 2025, she became part of the class of Justices of the Peace, and she was recently honoured with a Community Award from the Bayville area for her contributions to the community.
Despite her many accomplishments, Zelma remains guided by a simple but powerful principle she first learned as a Brownie:
“A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day.”
It is a philosophy she continues to live by — one act of service at a time.
And when asked about the organisation that has shaped so much of her journey, Zelma’s answer is heartfelt and unwavering:
“I’d rather belong to Kiwanis than any other club.”
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, her story stands as a reminder that true leadership is found not only in titles or recognition, but in a lifetime of giving back.
A Childhood That Changed Overnight
Janeil Odle’s life changed dramatically when she was just six years old. A fall from a bicycle left her with severe headaches and body pain. At first, doctors believed she was suffering from dengue or meningitis. It was only later that they discovered the real cause — a blood clot at the back of her head. By the time the diagnosis was made, it was too late. The clot had damaged her optic nerves, leaving her permanently blind.
Adapting to life without sight was difficult. She attended the Irving Wilson School for children with visual impairments, where she learned Braille and how to navigate life as
a blind child. But at the time, children with disabilities were not allowed to sit the Common Entrance Examination or pursue the traditional academic path. For her parents, that was unacceptable.
They began advocating tirelessly — writing to government officials, speaking with educators and petitioning for their daughter to be given the same opportunity as any other child.
Eventually, a breakthrough came when the principal of Belleplaine Primary School allowed Holder to sit in classes so she could prepare for the Common Entrance Examination. She passed.
But that was only the beginning.
Fighting for an Education
Transitioning into the traditional school system came with its own challenges.
Without reliable equipment to convert text into Braille, she often spent late nights studying while her father or brother read textbooks aloud so she could transcribe the material manually into Braille.
Some teachers were reluctant to adapt their teaching methods. Others wrote on the board without reading aloud, leaving her to rely on classmates to tell her what had been written. And there were classmates who believed she was receiving unfair advantages. Despite the obstacles, Holder persevered.
She credits a handful of extraordinary
teachers who refused to let her fall behind. One teacher visited her home every afternoon to help her understand geography diagrams through tactile learning. A biology teacher even learned Braille so she could create diagrams using glue on a board that Holder could feel with her hands. Those acts of support made a profound difference.
Still, she says much of her school life felt like a constant battle — fighting not just for grades, but for the right to learn.
Finding Her Voice
By the time Janeil completed her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations at The St. Michael School, she already knew what she wanted to do Law.
Years of being told what persons with disabilities could not do had sparked a determination within her to change the system itself.
“I wanted to do law because my intention was always to change policy to assist persons with disabilities,” she explained. While at school she joined several clubs, but the Literary and Debating Society became her favourite.
It was there that she discovered something powerful — her voice. The club sharpened her public speaking skills and gave her the confidence to assert herself, an ability that would later become central to her advocacy work.
“"Vision is not defined by (literal) sight — but by purpose."
Academic Excellence
Odle continued her studies at the Barbados Community College, pursuing an Associate Degree in Law and Literature in English.
The decision to study literature alongside law proved invaluable. “A good lawyer should always know how to analyse and critique,” one of her lecturers told her.
She thrived in the programme and graduated as valedictorian, earning a Barbados Exhibition in 2014.
That same year, she entered the Faculty of Law at the Cave Hill Campus of The University of the West Indies. Fortuitously, the faculty was transitioning to a paperless system. For Holder, that shift made learning far more accessible since digital material could be read aloud by assistive technology.
Her performance was exceptional. In 2017, she graduated with First Class Honours and the highest GPA in the faculty.
Another Barrier
Yet even with those achievements, barriers remained. After applying to law school in Trinidad and Tobago, Holder noticed that all her classmates were receiving acceptance letters while she heard nothing. When she contacted the institution, the
reason stunned her. They had never had a blind student before and believed they could not accommodate her.
Determined not to let the opportunity slip away, Odle fought back. She enlisted the help of The University of the West Indies and her doctors to prove that she could successfully complete the programme. Eventually, she was accepted.
But even there the struggle continued. She had to repeatedly advocate for digital exams and accessible formats for coursework.
Despite the obstacles, she graduated and obtained her Legal Education Certificate.
Turning Advocacy into Action
After completing her legal training, Holder pursued a Master’s degree in Public Law at Cave Hill, focusing on human rights and constitutional law.
Her passion for advocacy soon extended beyond the classroom. She joined the chambers of Leslie Haynes, gaining experience in general legal practice before being appointed to the Advisory Committee on Disability Legislation, chaired by Edward Hinds.
The committee conducted consultations with more than 70 groups across Barbados to understand the needs of persons with disabilities and what should be included in new legislation.
Holder was later selected to draft the
legislative instructions that would form the foundation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The legislation was passed in Parliament in January 2025.
Today, she serves as the National Advocate for Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, advising the government on the implementation of both the legislation and the accompanying national policy.
Strength Through Motherhood
Holder’s resilience was tested again when she became a mother. Her son’s birth was complicated, and he spent three weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. During that difficult period, a doctor asked her a question that deeply wounded her.
“If this child is sick, how are you going to take care of him?” To Odle, the implication was clear — the assumption that blindness meant incapability.
The experience was painful, but it also strengthened her resolve. It reminded her why her advocacy matters.
A Voice in the Senate
Today, Holder serves as a Government Senator, using her platform to champion those who feel unheard or overlooked.
While she remains deeply committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, her advocacy extends much further.
fight for persons who feel as if they do not have a voice in society,” she says.
A Story of Courage
On International Women’s Day, Janeil Odle story stands as a powerful reminder that leadership often grows from adversity.
Her journey reflects the resilience of countless women who refuse to accept limitations imposed by society.
Through advocacy, education and unwavering determination, she has not only transformed her own life but is helping to reshape opportunities for generations to come.
And perhaps most importantly, she has proven that vision is not defined by sight — but by purpose.
“My dream and aspiration is always to
Debra’s Statement
International Women’s Day calls us to champion Rights, Justice, and Action for all women and girls. It reminds us that equality is not an abstract ideal but a lived reality shaped by laws, access, safety, education, and opportunity. Across communities, women continue to break barriers — while too many still face discrimination, violence, and economic exclusion.
This year’s Give to Gain message — the theme of International Women’s Day — invites us to see solidarity as a shared investment. When we give time, mentorship, resources, and advocacy, we gain stronger families, healthier workplaces, resilient economies, and inclusive societies. Giving is not loss; it multiplies dignity and possibility.
Action means supporting girls’ education, amplifying
women’s voices, closing pay gaps, and ensuring justice systems protect and empower. It also means everyday choices — challenging bias, uplifting colleagues, and creating spaces where women lead. Rights must be universal, justice must be accessible, and action must be sustained.
Together, by giving with purpose, we gain a future where every woman and girl can thrive, lead, and belong. Let this day renew our commitment to partnership across generations, sectors, and cultures, turning empathy into policy, intention into measurable progress, and hope into real change for women and girls everywhere — today and tomorrow.
Debra McWilliams-Wilson MBA Professional make up artist and beauty consultant for an international skin care company.
International Women’s Day is more than a ceremonial date on the calendar; it is a global call to action — a reminder that while significant strides have been made, the journey toward true gender equality continues.
It traces its roots back to the early 20th century, born out of labour movements and the fight for women’s rights in Europe and North America. Over time, it has grown into a worldwide observance supported by the United Nations, highlighting issues such as equal pay, access to education, reproductive rights, and representation in leadership.
What began as protests for better working conditions and voting rights has evolved into a powerful platform celebrating women’s contributions in politics, science, arts, business and community development.
Across the globe, women continue to break barriers and redefine leadership. From heads of government and entrepreneurs to educators, healthcare professionals and activists, women are shaping societies and economies in profound ways.
Here in Barbados and across the Caribbean, women have long stood at the forefront of national development — as policymakers, legal minds, cultural ambassadors and community builders. Their leadership during times of economic challenge, public health crises and social transformation underscores a simple truth: when women thrive, nations prosper.
Despite progress, gender disparities remain. Women still face wage gaps, underrepresentation in certain industries, gender-based violence and unequal access to opportunities in many parts of the world. International Women’s Day serves as both celebration and challenge — honouring achievements while urging collective responsibility to dismantle systemic barriers.
Empowerment is not merely about symbolism. It requires sustained investment in education, mentorship, policy reform and cultural change. It demands that men and boys be active allies in the pursuit of equality.
Perhaps the most powerful legacy we can create is one of opportunity. Young girls today must see limitless possibilities reflected in the women around them — in classrooms, boardrooms, laboratories, courtrooms and parliaments. Representation matters. Encouragement matters. Access matters.
As we mark International Women’s Day, let us celebrate the women who paved the way, applaud those leading today, and commit to building a future where gender does not determine potential.
Because equality is not a women’s issue — it is a human imperative.
The Work of Justice Karen Gopee
By Bavina Sookdeo
Born in Trinidad, Justice Karen Gopee is the first Indo-Caribbean Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. While she now makes decisions that can alter the course of lives, her upbringing as an immigrant raised in a resource-limited Brooklyn community has given her a deep understanding of what it means to feel unseen, unheard and less than.
“Growing up in an immigrant neighbourhood…I saw how nervous they were with anything related to immigration, law enforcement and/ or the Courts,” she related. “I saw many incidents of domestic abuse, issues related to alcohol, addiction and poverty. I knew I wanted to help people who felt helpless or unrepresented and give them a voice.” This inspired
Gopee not only to pursue a career in law, but to dedicate herself to a life of service. Today, she intentionally uses her platform to uplift women, girls and those who feel powerless within complex systems.
Appointed to the New York State Criminal Court in 2015 and elected to the Supreme Court in 2021, Gopee currently presides over a busy trial part in Queens. Prior to wearing judicial robes, she was implementing programmes designed to divert young people away from the criminal justice system. A Principal Court Attorney at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, she created initiatives like ‘Making the Change’ and ‘Saturday Night Lights,’ which provided mentorship and structured activities for youth. She began her legal career as a Prosecutor, working with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, which she refers to as her true calling.
Today, prevention remains at the core of her philosophy, especially for youth navigating unstable environments — she believes in reaching them early, equipping them with knowledge and creating meaningful
“ I knew I wanted to help people who felt helpless or unrepresented and give them a voice."
alternatives before crisis takes hold. She goes into schools, whenever she is invited, to speak about her career path, the importance of making the right decisions and to educate on consent, trauma and abuse. As a volunteer for the school consent project, she has participated in a panel discussion on Broadway, after the showing of Prima Facie, a play about surviving date rape and the struggle that a victim endures after reporting it. Gopee works with the Speranza project to train and educate first responders and emergency health professionals in several states across the country to better triage for victims of domestic violence, to provide more sensitive and
Story by: Bavina Sookdeo Writer/Media Consultant
“Never allow those who lack imagination, ambition or self-esteem to limit yours."
compassionate treatment and properly document what happened in the critical first few hours for future court use.
Gopee also commits considerable time to volunteer initiatives focused on addressing domestic violence, combating human trafficking and advancing the empowerment of women and girls. She understands that many people enter courtrooms carrying trauma long before any case is called. She also understands that for many, what brought them to court may have been a bad choice made in a moment, that now has the potential to effect their future including employment, education opportunities, housing, residency and even the opportunity to vote, serve on a jury, or receive certifications.
In March, Gopee is putting together a group of lawyers to speak to college students about their rights if stopped by
immigration enforcement officers and to law school students about her IndoCaribbean identity and career path. She is planning a continuing legal education class for lawyers and judges on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Courtroom. She just wrapped up a virtual panel on practicing law and what not to do.
Gopee also co-founded a bar association to create opportunities for the advancement of South Asians and Indo-Caribbeans. She chairs continuing education programmes for the Caribbean American Lawyers Association and has collaborated with leaders of other bar associations, community and political organisations to expand professional networks for young attorneys and junior judges. She explained that by strengthening these institutions, providing internship opportunities and mentorship, as well as speaking at schools and community events, she believes she is helping ensure that young women are more confident in entering the legal field and have tools she knows are critical for advancement.
Gopee has received prestigious awards, including the Meritorious Award from the American Bar Association, Power Women of Queens and will be receiving the Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award from the Caribbean American Lawyers Association in June.
An active member of the Trinidadians and Tobagonians USA Association, she continues to mentor youth and encourage civic participation. Through public events, panels and community engagement, she consistently speaks about unity, inclusion and shared progress. She has worked to ensure Caribbean voices are represented in major cultural celebrations and has supported
initiatives that highlight the contributions of women within diaspora communities. She has also visited the Courts in Trinidad and Barbados to learn from their practice and to offer suggestions.
A mother of two, Gopee runs her courtroom with what she describes as “understanding, compassion and sympathy, while also being tough and no-nonsense.” She is ensuring that women and girls are not merely seen but empowered to stand confidently in their own authority. Her message on International Women’s Day is “Believe in yourself…don’t listen to those who say you can’t or shouldn’t. Never allow those who lack imagination, ambition or self-esteem to limit yours.”
Let’s tell the truth.
Every woman has had a moment in her life where she had to prove she deserved a seat that should have already had her name on it.
And THAT… is, exactly why this conversation matters.
When I hear the words RIGHTS, JUSTICE, and ACTION for all women and girls, I don’t hear a theme for a day. I hear a call.
A call to remember the women who walked before us, who carried strength in their backs and determination in their bones. Women who refused to shrink even when the world tried to make them small.
To me, rights mean that every girl— no matter where she is born, no matter the color of her skin, no matter the language she speaks— has the freedom to learn, to grow, to lead, and to dream without limitation.
Justice means more than fairness. Justice means dignity. It means a world where women and girls are not simply allowed to exist, but are respected, protected, and valued for the brilliance they bring.
Jo-Anne Blanchard
But rights and justice do not move forward on their own. They require action.
ACTION is the courage to speak when silence would be easier. Action is women lifting other women higher.
Action is standing beside the girls who will one day lead further than we ever imagined.
And here is the truth that history keeps proving again and again:
When you educate a girl, you empower a generation. When you protect a woman, you strengthen a community. And when women stand together... nations begin to change.
Because when we fight for women and girls, we are not asking for more. We are claiming what has always been ours.
RIGHTS are not favors. JUSTICE is not charity. And ACTION is not optional. It is the responsibility of every generation to leave the door wider than it was when we found it.
So that EVERY girl who walks through it doesn’t have to fight to belong…
She simply steps forward knowing she already does. And if the world ever forgets the power of women and girls…
TOGETHER WE WILL REMIND IT.
Jo-Anne Blanchard Public Speaker, Activist, Author, Poet
Girls Night Out
A menu worth Celebrating!
Some nights call for more than good conversation — they call for good food, great drinks, and the kind of energy that only happens when women gather unapologetically. This menu was designed for exactly that. From the first sip of a berry-kissed sparkler to the last
bite of a dark chocolate strawberry, every dish is light, intentional and full of flavour. Fresh, vibrant and easy to prepare, these five recipes let you spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the moment — laughing, toasting and celebrating the women around you.
siGnATure sip: berry bLiss
Ingredients:
» Fresh strawberries & blueberries
» Splash of lime juice
» Sparkling water (or prosecco if serving alcohol)
» Mint leaves
» Ice Directions:
Blend berries and mint, add lime juice, pour over ice, top with sparkling water or prosecco. Garnish with a strawberry slice.
2
no-bAke m CheeseCAke Cups
A healthy version
» Base: crushed oats + almond butter
» Filling: cream cheese + Greek yogurt + maple syrup
» Top: fresh berries
» Layer in small glasses for a cute, party-ready presentation.
Top it off with a few styling tips:
» Use pink, purple or gold accents
» Set up a DIY affirmation board (celebrate women uplifting women)
» Encourage everyone to wear something that makes them feel powerful
4
dArk ChoCoLATe sTrAWberry biTes
Because dessert is non-negotiable.
Ingredients:
» Fresh strawberries
» 70% dark chocolate (melted)
» Crushed pistachios or coconut flakes
Directions:
Dip, sprinkle, chill. Elegant, simple and antioxidant-rich.
GArLiC Lime shrimp skeWer
In a small bowl, mix
» Olive oil
» Fresh garlic
» Lime zest + juice
» Smoked paprika
» Pinch of sea salt
In a small bowl mix. Wash an peel shrimp, 20-30. Place shrimp into the mixture and allow to marinate for 20 minutes, place on skewers and grill or pan-sear 2–3 minutes per side.
Serve with a yogurt-lime dip.
mini AvoCAdo & ChiCkpeA LeTTuCe
Cups (veGAn)
Fresh, crunchy and protein-packed.
Ingredients:
» Mashed avocado
» Chickpeas (lightly crushed)
» Red onion (finely chopped)
» Lime juice
» Cilantro
» Lettuce leaves of your choice
Directions
Mix filling, spoon into lettuce cups. Sprinkle with chili flakes for a little spice.
