Inspire women Spring/Summer 2016

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WOMEN THE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT WOMAN

PAMELA FERREIRA Leading With Humility

RAISING KIDS WHO ARE SMART ABOUT MONEY

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CONTE N TS summer 2016

WOMEN

FRONT ROW EXCLUSIVE 4 Pamela Ferreira WORTH WATCHING ACHIEVERS 8 Destinee Jewel Taylor 10 Clare O’Connor PROFILES OF BUSINESS WOMEN 12 Sharon Beesley 15 Dr. Nancy Gosling 18 Dawn Zuill

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CAREER 20 Women In Design & Construction 22 The Financially Independent Woman

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LIFESTYLE 26 Summer Workwear Refresh

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PARENTING 30 Raising Kids Who are Smart About Money 32 10 Questions to Ask about Camp WELLBEING 36 Mammograms

38 Power to the Patient

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WOMEN THE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT WOMAN

PAMELA FERREIRA Leading With Humility

RAISING KIDS WHO ARE SMART ABOUT MONEY

ON THE COVER Pamela Ferreira Photographer: Meredith Andrews Make-up: MAC Gibbons

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FROM THE EDITOR

hen I started talking to companies and women about the launch of Inspire Women – a new publication by the Publisher and Founder of Bermuda Parent magazine – I received great excitement and many well wishes. It became clear as we heard the stories of the women within our pages that we needed to share their passion with our readers. There are so many women on our island who are inspirations and their stories have only been told within their sphere of friends.

I’m sure you will agree that these women are not only enviable businesswomen but, also true changemakers, who have touched many lives and the various causes they support.

As you read through our summer issue, you’ll find it’s power-packed with women who have dedicated their lives and careers to making our community a better place. We had the opportunity to speak with Pamela Ferreira from the MarketPlace and Nancy Gosling of Goslings Ltd. One of the most important thoughts that stood out to me in our conversations is the importance of family. Both of these women, as well as the others we spoke with, are empowering and inspiring to all of us.

Finally, for those of you that are parents, as summer time approaches and you’re choosing summer camps, be sure to read our “10 Questions to Ask Your Camp Providers.” We also encourage you to read “Power to the Patient” and take charge of your wellbeing.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you!

Katrina Ball

Publisher & Founder Katrina@knbmediagroup.com

Looks You’ll LOVE

WOMEN

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Katrina Ball ADVERTISING SALES Wanda Brown wanda@knbmediagroup.com 333-1925 PHOTO BY TIMELESS TREASURES

W

our thoughts

Alicia Resnik alicia@knbmediagroup.com 236-9218 DESIGN & PRODUCTION Picante Creative CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alicia Resnik, Julie Butler, Bill Zuill, Carla Seely, Kelita Smith, Krystal Rodrigues, Karolina De Costa, Miguel Da Ponte, Safe Camps Bermuda, Simone Barton, Robyn Dickinson-Baras CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Meredith Andrews, Sarah Elgserma MARKETING DIREC TOR Katrina Ball 504-2937 Inspire Women is published four times a year. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without express written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this magazine. Distribution of this product does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services herein.

C O N TA C T U S katrina@knbmediagroup.com Tel: 504-2937

36 Par-la-ville Rd, Hamilton

2 Inspire WOMEN

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“At BHS, a woman in the room was always the smartest, a woman in the room was always the fastest, a woman in the room always had the answer. I still look for a woman to have the answer.”

Zakiya Johnson Lord ‘94

Helen Cooper ‘83, Director CD&P, Top 200 Power Women 2015

Zakiya Johnson Lord ‘94, Regional Director and Engagement Officer, Astraea Foundation

Dr. Katie Davis ‘95, Assistant Professor at The University of Washington Information School

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Dr. Tara Kessaram ‘99 Consultant with the World Health Organisation

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Inspire WOMEN 3

FRONT ROW

exclusive “Good leaders don’t lead because of the power they’ve been given but, because of the way they’ve used the power that’s always resided in them. You don’t need a title to be a leader, and you don’t need to wait for permission. You just need the courage to take action. If I could do anything to inspire a young generation of female leaders, it would be first to show them the example of hard work and dedication, then listen to their ideas and let them know how much they’re valued. I would encourage them to make smart choices.

Choose to be a good leader and try to be humble because business is a long lesson in humility. The right combination of these qualities can deliver truly incredible results.” Mrs. Pamela Ferreira

Leading

BY ALICIA RESNIK

with Humility

Pamela Ferreira

Read the full story of Pamel

4 Inspire WOMEN

MEREDITH ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY

la Ferreira in our print issue.

Inspire WOMEN 5

6 Inspire WOMEN

Inspire WOMEN 7

WORTH WATCHING

achievers

Destinee Jewel Taylor Confident, hard-working and persistent describe Destinee Taylor. 18 years old with an extensive resume, Ms. Taylor’s a student at Bermuda College. In August she’ll be attending Valor Christian College to obtain a degree in Youth Ministries. After this, she plans to study law at the University of Kent.

2015 GRADUATE OF CEDARBRIDGE Academy, Ms. Taylor

credits both her mother and grandmother for keeping her motivated.

“I’m always busy. My mom, Beverly Taylor, always pushed me. She’s very supportive. My grandmother, Marjorie Holdipp, whom I love dearly, always talked politics - from when I was very young.” While at Cedarbridge, Ms. Taylor received outstanding awards in Music, English & Literature. She was on the honor role for 2011 to 2015 and received the Principal’s Citation in 2012. She was also involved in the Student Government’s Mentorship Program, mentoring an S1 student. Ms. Taylor’s been a Peer Mediator, a Prefect, Class President and President of the Student Government.

Her list of achievements is long and includes the Outstanding Teen Award for Community Service in 2015, the North Village Lady Rams Youth Netball award in 2008, the Tech Week Essay Competition in 2014 and the Police Commissioner’s Vision Award in 2014. She was nominated to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference in 2014 and represented Bermuda at the 40th annual CPA Regional Youth Parliament Debate in the British Virgin Islands in 2015.

Active in her church, Ms. Taylor’s the Young People’s Department President at Heard Chapel AME Church and participates in the Youth Choir. She’s been a guest speaker at Northlands Primary Honor Role Assembly, at The BPSU’s International Women’s Day, at Christ Church Devonshire’s Annual Youth Sunday, at the Re-convening of the Youth Parliament, at Heard Chapel’s Women’s Day in 2011 and at Heard Chapel’s Youth Sunday in 2015. She also volunteers for Meals on Wheels.

During the Christmas holidays, she helped distribute food hampers to the needy.

Ms. Taylor’s the Opposition Leader for the Youth Parliament, She says her love of history led her into politics. “I’ve always loved history, especially Bermuda history. I’d go up to the House of Assembly after school on Fridays to watch the debates. I was intrigued by how much fire the members have to improve their country.” In addition to being a Youth Parliamentarian, she job shadows Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe.

8 Inspire WOMEN

SARAH E PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ALICIA RESNIK

What are your interests and hobbies?

Any advice you’d like to share with other young ladies?

“I’m a Youth Parliamentarian, Youth Columnist for TodayInBermuda. co, active member of the Young People’s Department at my church, often shadow Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe. I love to read about Bermuda, in particular about Bermuda’s history. I love to write, I love to write poetry. And one of my hobbies is photography.”

“Stay focused. Don’t be discouraged by others. And don’t feel the need to share your dreams with everyone.

Some people will be negative but don’t let that deter you. You just need to work hard and be persistent.

Always keep shooting for the stars!”

Do you have a favourite quote?

“My favourite quotes are - ‘In this bright future, you can’t forget your past’ and ‘Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life you’re living?’ – both from Bob Marley.”

What are your proudest moments?

“My proudest moments - becoming Student Government President at Cedarbridge and winning the 2015 Outstanding Teen Award for Community Service. And becoming Opposition Leader in the Bermuda Youth Parliament.”

Who inspires you?

“I love reading bio’s and books about Dame Lois Browne Evans. I want to be a lawyer. She’s an inspiration to me.

Every time I read about her, it feels like I know her personally. I would love to have met her. Another mentor of mine is Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe. He’s always giving me advice in regards to my future legal career. He’s always willing to answer my questions.

He’s kind enough to let me into his busy schedule and allow me to shadow him whenever he’s free. My mother and grandmother are also inspirations in my life. They’re my support system.”

What are your future dreams?

“I dream of being called to the Bermuda Bar. Also to be called to the Bar of England and Wales. I dream of becoming a successful Criminal/ Family Barrister in Bermuda. I’d also like to be a Magistrate or the first female Chief Justice. One day I want to serve my country as a Member of Parliament.”

Inspire WOMEN 9

WORTH WATCHING

achievers

Clare O’Connor

BY CLARE O’ CONNOR, Staff Writer at Forbes Magazine, BHS Class of 1999

In June, it’ll be six years since I joined Forbes, the business media company in New York, as a reporter. It struck me recently that this is the longest I’ve been anywhere – including college at the University of Pennsylvania, a journalism master’s program at Columbia, and stints at jobs in other cities. That is, except for BHS. I spent nine years at the Bermuda High School for Girls, starting at age 4 and bowing out for boarding school aged 13.

MY ENTIRE EDUCATION UP UNTIL university was spent

among women, both in the classroom chairs next to mine and, for the most part, in front of the blackboard. It left me secure in the knowledge that women have the answers. We’re problem solvers, whether in the science lab or on the sports field. We’re here to be taken seriously.

I grew up never considering that anyone thought otherwise. It was only when I arrived in my first office environment aged 22 that I felt my confidence eroding. It’s a familiar tale: women make the coffee. Women take the meeting notes. Women should “lean in” at work while trying to “have it all” at home. So we’re overworked, but also undercompensated thanks to the pernicious gender pay gap.

This year, I switched beats at Forbes, taking up a newly-created role as the staff writer responsible for covering women entrepreneurs and workplace diversity. It’s a gig I lobbied my editors to let me take on.

After all, this is a pivotal year to be tackling a subject as unwieldy and contentious as equality of opportunity. Women are uniting to advocate for pay equity and greater flexibility at work. In the U.S., women are demanding access to safe, affordable healthcare. And one particular woman is likely to win the highest office in the land this November. There is no subject I feel more adamant about covering, and more responsible for getting right.

I’ve already profiled some seriously impressive women in my time at Forbes. My first cover story was on Sara Blakely, a Florida fax machine salesperson who became the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire after founding shapewear brand Spanx.

In 2012, I flew out to Oprah Winfrey’s Johannesburg girls’ school for a feature on the TV mogul’s philanthropy (she’s given away well over $400 million to educational causes to date). My most recent cover story was on actress Jessica Alba, who cofounded nontoxic household goods startup The Honest Company as a new mom in 2011, having become

10 Inspire WOMEN

30s. In fact, two women featured on recent Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ lists of young achievers are fellow BHS alums: Natasha Tucker ’02 and Anna MacKenzie ’05, both of whom are cofounders of consumer businesses based in London. They were chosen by big-name judges out of hundreds of nominees. Having spent a decade at BHS, I am not a bit surprised by their success.

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PROFILES OF

business women

SHARON A. BEESLEY

“I think it’s fair to say that I didn’t take a wholly conventional path to where I am today,” says Ms. Sharon Beesley speaking of the law firm she helped co-found. She’s a Director and the Chief Executive Officer of BeesMont Law Limited, which was established in April 2008 by Ms. Beesley and Mr. Marco Montarsolo.

BY ALICIA RESNIK s. Beesley Was Born In windsor, Ontario Canada and raised from an early age in Leicestershire, England. She attended Cambridge University and received her undergraduate law degree from the University of Westminster. “I decided I wanted to be a lawyer whilst studying for my A’ Levels and through hard work, determination and some great opportunities I was able to fulfill that wish,” she says.

Ms. Beesley arrived in Bermuda in 1992 to work in private practice after a short stint working for Denys Reitz in South Africa. She was familiar with Bermuda as an offshore jurisdiction from her time in the Hong Kong and London offices of Linklaters.

After 8 years working with Linklaters, Ms. Beesley took a sabbatical for a couple of years which included cycling from England through West-

12 Inspire WOMEN

ern and Eastern Europe to the Near East. During this trip, she worked with a small non-profit group in Romania, who assisted handicapped and other disadvantaged children discarded by the old communist regime and placed in orphanages which were very basic and often inhumane. Her time spent working with these children was the impetus for the concept behind the original ISIS Group which comprised a legal consultancy (due to local practice restrictions at that time) and management business and the then named ISIS Foundation (now Adara) a charity which worked to assist with improving the lives of children in Nepal and Uganda. The intent was for the business to finance to the extent feasible the funding of the charity’s administration and some project costs.

Another Bermuda charity Ms. Beesley’s been involved with for many years is KATKiDS, which is a volunteer group whose mission is to use the time, expertise and passion of its volunteers to raise money for projects supporting children in

Nepal, Southern Africa and Bermuda. The staff of the BeesMont Group, which includes BeesMont Corporate Services Limited, and BeesMont Special Solutions Limited, are also encouraged to be active in various industry committees and in supporting various Bermuda nonprofits with the principal ones being supported Summerhaven, Pathways Bermuda (formally Caron) and the End to End. In addition to cofounding a law practice and a charity, Ms. Beesley has developed a recognised investment fund practice and has advised on a wide range of corporate transactions that includes mergers and acquisitions and general corporate governance issues. She has throughout her 24 years in Bermuda been

active on various industry committees and is currently a member of the Asset Management Group (a committee of the Bermuda Business Development Agency), a Director of the Bermuda Monetary Authority and a member of the BSX Listing Committee. In her spare time, Ms. Beesley enjoys equestrian activities, cycling, skiing, reading and travelling.

Was it difficult to advance, as a woman, in the field of law?

“Well when I first applied for articles in my home town of Leicester I was rejected in favour of a male candidate but then I passed all my professional exams and he didn’t and the law firm didn’t hesitate to take me on instead! Since then and after several decades as a lawyer I’ve been fortunate not to experience any overt discrimination as a woman. But I was equally fortunate to have the opportunity to work for a great international law firm where gender was not an issue, I

IT’S IMPORTANT TO AIM HIGH AND NOT BE DETERRED

BY POTENTIAL OBSTACLES..

didn’t follow a conventional path with the former ISIS Group and then I was lucky to be able to find a great male business partner but then again Marco does have exceptional females in his life with his wife and 2 girls! Our law firm tends to be evenly split between female and male lawyers and having a son and 2 step-sons has also given me some insight into the difficulties faced by young males of the 21st century! Until men bear children, there will always be additional pressures on woman. I went back to work when my son Jean-Jacques was two months old. I haven’t stopped working since.”

What advice would you offer to women wanting a law career?

“It’s important to aim high and not be deterred by potential obstacles. Successful law firms want people who are good at their job, energetic and committed. And never be afraid to take chances in business opportunities.”

Inspire WOMEN 13

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14 Inspire WOMEN

PROFILES OF

business women

FAMILY TIES

Gosling Brothers Limited began in 1806 when James Gosling set sail for America. He was the eldest son of William Gosling, a wine and spirits merchant. After 91 days of calm waters, their charter ran out and the ship docked at the nearest port – St. George’s Parish, Bermuda.

Eight generations, and 200 years later, the company continues to flourish offering over 2000 different products - including their world famous Black Seal Rum.

BY ALICIA RESNIK

r. Nancy Gosling is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gosling’s Group of Companies. She’s worked for the family business for 35 years. As President and CEO, Dr. Gosling’s in charge of the company’s finances, as well as working with inventory, purchasing, pricing and overall business administration. She’s a graduate of Dalhousie University and was awarded a Doctorate of Laws from the university in 2010 for her outstanding business leadership.

Dr. Gosling’s career in the family business began with the position of Assistant Treasurer. She then assumed the role of Managing Director and a few years later, was named Vice President. In 1991 Dr. Gosling became the first women in her family to serve as President and CEO. Under her direction, the company continues to evolve and remain successful.

SARAH E PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Nancy Gosling

left - Dr. Nancy Gosling Inspire WOMEN right - Ms. Victoria Esposito

15

Have you always worked at Gosling’s?

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

“I worked here in Accounts, in the summers, while I was in University. My aim was always to work here but I first needed the qualifications. After University I worked at Price Waterhouse for 3 years. I became a qualified accountant (CPA). After that I worked at American International, in the Captive Department, to get more experience. I wanted to know that I could do the job. After about 2 years my father and Uncle said it was time to work with them. So I joined the company. I worked for my Dad - we’ve all worked for family.”

“I play golf. I go to the gym, I used to sail until I had children – that was a full-time occupation! I also sit on the Board of Directors for BF & M, Neptune Group, Somers Isle Shipping and Long Botham Boat Company Ltd.”

When you started working at Gosling’s were you the only female family member?

“Yes, when I first started out I was the only female. I’ve been the only female many times. Back then, there were more men in our family. Now we’re a generation of daughters. There are 9 children and 7 are women. We only have one nephew working here. The company could be renamed Gosling Sisters!”

Do you enjoy having your daughter here?

“Having my daughter here is fabulous. Actually, both my daughters work for us – Victoria’s here and Emily is our brand Ambassador for Gosling’s Rums in Canada. My two nieces, April Gosling-Naude (the Senior Marketing Manager) and Alexis Rawson (the assistant Financial Controller) also work here.

It’s not something you expect to happen – so it’s thrilling they want to work for the company. I like watching them making their way.

I’m very impressed seeing them in business transactions, interacting with people – it seems to come so naturally to them.”

SARAH E PHOTOGRAPHY

Ms.Victoria Esposito What’s it like working for your family’s business?

“I’ve been with the company since 1981. My job as the CEO is to make sure the company continues into the next generation and I’m certain the company will continue in good hands. We have ‘5 generation 8’s’ working here now!”

16 Inspire WOMEN

s. Victoria Esposito is Dr. Gosling’s daughter. She’s Gosling’s Marketing & Promotions Manager.

Ms. Esposito began working for Gosling’s when she was 16. Like her mother, Ms. Esposito’s career with the family business started during school holidays when she worked as a Marketing Assistant. In 2013 she worked in Events & Promotions and in 2014 Ms. Esposito was promoted to her current position. She manages 9 brand portfolios, working closely with her cousin Mrs.

April Gosling-Naude. Ms. Esposito also assists with the handling of promotions for all the company’s product brands.

Ms. Esposito studied business management at Dalhousie University. She left school to return home to work for Gosling’s. “This type of business you can’t really learn in school. You can’t get a degree in liquor sales. It’s all about learning as you go, it’s a hands-on job.” Ms. Esposito’s currently finishing her degree on-line through Athabasca University.

What’s it like having your mom as your boss?

“She’s easy to do business with! She’s very knowledgeable about wines with an accounting background. I’m more knowledgeable about spirits with a marketing background. My mother isn’t my immediate boss - my cousin, Mr. Charles Gosling is. He’s the Director of Marketing. I work closely with my cousin April. She’s the Senior Marketing Manager and she’s taught me a lot. April’s been here for 10 years. When I started, she mentored me and continues to do so. April’s knowledge and experience in this business is vast. She shares this knowledge with me. It’s great having her as a vantage point.”

Really, there’s no average day – it also depends on the time of year.

Summer and Christmas are crazy!”

Any hobbies or interests outside of work?

“I love sports. I play on a field hockey team. In the summer I play beach volleyball. I also enjoy traveling.”

AIX Rosé is the result of dedication and passion to make the best Provence rosé available.

Do you enjoy working for your family’s company?

“It’s interesting and I enjoy it. The passion and drive to succeed is more relevant because it’s a family business. The company’s been around for over 200 years. I’m one of the ‘8th’ generation. It’s nice to see that as the generations continue, family members are still involved. There are three ‘4th generations’ and five ‘8th generations’ working here. We all get along and are quite close. It’s a nice dynamic.”

Did you have to learn about wines and spirits?

“Growing up my mom taught me about wines. When I was 19, I took a Level One Wine course. My focus is spirits. The main products I manage include Chivas, Ketel One

“I have no average day! My specialty is spirits - I train local bartenders on spirits, mainly vodkas and Saki. My days vary – which I like. Our suppliers train me and then I train locals.

I enjoy educating people about the wide range of available products.

SARAH E PHOTOGRAPHY

What’s an average day for you?

available only at

Inspire WOMEN 17

PROFILES OF

business women

DAWN ZUILL

BY BILL ZUILL

In 1998, Mrs. Dawn Zuill was a successful corporate recruiter who’d just joined a firm to successfully launch a new division of business. The firm’s owner decided to emigrate from Bermuda. The division Mrs. Zuill worked for was closed. Although shocked, she saw this as an opportunity and decided to set up her own employment agency - initially working from her living room. As the business took off, she expanded to a small office, with one assistant, on Church Street.

y experience had been that most employment agencies at that time were primarily focused on assisting their clients with offshore recruiting options when there didn’t seem to be a qualified Bermudian candidate,” says Mrs. Zuill. “I wasn’t convinced that the agencies looked very hard for Bermudians, or reached out to Bermudian candidates as energetically as they could. With a view to giving fair representation to all qualified and suitable candidates, I launched Bermuda Executive Services (BES) with the mission statement ‘utilizing Bermuda’s greatest resource – its people’.”

Mrs. Zuill explains that her philosophy is grounded in the fact that Bermudians are enterprising people who can turn their hands to anything. “As an island with virtually no natural resources, Bermuda has always relied on its people to be successful.”

She had experience to draw from. Before returning to Bermuda in 1994, she worked for a mortgage finance company in the United States, opening offices throughout the West Coast. She also ventured into new cities, locating office space, hiring staff and launching the company’s brand. She knew what it took to build a new business.

Since 1998, BES has built up a reputation as one of Bermuda’s leading employment agencies. They were awarded a Bermudian Magazine Products and Services Award in 2015 as Bermuda’s best employment agency. The company offers executive search and selection, contract and permanent staffing solutions,

18 Inspire WOMEN

UTILIZING BERMUDA’S GREATEST RESOURCE – ITS PEOPLE

human resources consulting and business services.

“What gives me the greatest pleasure is seeing people whom we helped to find jobs in the past, in some cases over a decade ago, go on to meaningful and successful careers with our help,” says Mrs. Zuill.

The successful launch of BES, gave Mrs. Zuill the ‘entrepreneurial bug.’ In 2002, after the birth of her son, she took over the children’s consignment store Bears Repeating. The store was about to close because of losing its lease. Mrs. Zuill took it over, moved it and, three years later, relaunched and re-branded it as the award-winning children’s store Daisy & Mac. The store quickly became one of Bermuda’s most popular, operating one in Dockyard, and two in Hamilton - including the flagship Queen Street store.

As Bermuda’s economic market changed, Daisy & Mac restructured and in partnership with an American company, Daisy & Mac-Island Bargains was launched in 2014 with the goal of providing affordable shipping to Bermuda. This service has grown in popularity, with hundreds of local residents and businesses using the Floridabased service to bring goods to the island.

While overseeing Daisy & Mac-Island Bargains, Mrs Zuill also diversified BES with the launch of Atlantic Caregiving in 2012.

“We started Atlantic Caregiving because, through personal experience, we found it was difficult to identify care-giving services. Our BES business model lent itself well to Atlantic Caregiving. We’re very proud of how the service has developed and the way that we enable people to live at home with dignity.”

Mrs. Zuill has also helped produce two documentaries with United States based filmmaker Emanuel Itier.

One film about faith is called ‘The Invocation.’ The second film is about women changing the world called ‘Femme’ which won a host of awards and has been recognized by the United Nations.

Do you feel it’s harder being a woman in business than a men?

“Being a woman in business can be a double-edged sword. There are definitely things that are asked of and done to female businesswomen that their male counterparts never experience,” says Mrs. Zuill. “At the same time, I think women are better multi-taskers, better at team-building and show more heart to their employees - although that sometimes means women managers and business owners can be taken advantage of. Some employ-

ees – men and women – love working for a woman and you get other people who can’t handle it.”

What’s the secret to being a successful entrepreneur?

“First, you have to be prepared to take risks and maybe you have to be just a little bit crazy,” says Mrs. Zuill. “Not every business is going to be successful right away and you have to be prepared for that. If you expect or need a steady pay cheque every week, being an entrepreneur can be scary.”

“Second, you have to be flexible. If an idea isn’t working, you have to be prepared to change it or drop it. That can be tough when you’ve literally put your blood, sweat and tears into an idea.”

“Third, hire talented people. One person can’t do it on her own. A business can succeed or fail based on who you bring on board – finding great team players who are loyal to your brand and share your values is vital. Someone once said the secret to success is to find people who are smarter than you at what they do and let them get on with it. If you know any of my great team, that’s precisely what I do!”

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BeS L I M IT E D

Utilising Bermuda’s most valuable resource: Its People

Inspire WOMEN 19

career

Women in

BY KRYSTAL RODRIGUES, President, Institute of Bermuda Architecture (IBA)

Design and Construction

If you keep a tape measure and a set of work boots handy for impromptu site visits, there’s a good chance you work in the design and construction industry. If you walk onto a job site and notice an instant change in behaviour, there’s an even better chance you’re also a woman. That’s because despite the evolution of gender equality in the industry, only 20 per cent of all registered architects in Bermuda are female.

eing a woman in a design profession requires the confidence to hold your own in a room full of men.

That being said, working in a historically maledominated profession isn’t

20 Inspire WOMEN

as daunting as you might think. In fact, when the Institute of Bermuda Architects (IBA) reached out to our female members, including architects, interior designers, technologists and interns, many noted that although the stigma of working in a

‘man’s profession’ still exists, women are thriving and excelling, carrying on the great work of our predecessors and continuing to pave the way for future generations.

Novia Laurencio, of Botelho Wood Architects and Kristina

Graham-Ward, of Brick Verde, expressed that the success of women in the industry is not in spite of their gender, but thanks to it. Laurencio notes, “Being a woman is a significant part of my unique lens”, while Ms Graham-Ward echoes, “Women bring a nurturing element to the profession, but don’t be fooled – there is a fire burning in each and every one [of us].”

What’s even more prevalent among the female members of the IBA, is that they are increasingly feeling as though they are being treated the same as their male colleagues both in the office and on the job site. Claudia Richardson, of Botelho Wood Architects, describes that though there were only three females in her graduating class, she was always treated as “one of the guys”, noting that she “never felt like [she] was stepping into a world [she] didn’t belong in.” Lisamare Masters, also of Botelho Wood Architects, attributes the growing confidence of women in the profession to “early exposure to opportunities for girls to reduce the gap in male-dominated professions” and support from strong mentors to develop a voice as a female in the industry and not be overshadowed.

It is true that the culture of the industry has changed drastically over the past 25 years, mostly due to the efforts of a few strong women who refused to be overlooked. Elizabeth Caulfield (Caulfield Partnership), Beryl Brown (The Studio Ltd.) and Susan Behrens (OBM International), as the first women to become registered architects in Bermuda, are a living legacy for women entering the profession today. If not for their efforts, the feedback about a diminishing gender bias might be much different.

Beryl Brown, the first Bermudian woman to become a Registered Architect, describes how she felt

empowered by the fact that one third of her graduating class at Yale University was female, a ratio much higher than those at other schools at that time. She describes that she found the overall experience to be supportive, even though it was a grueling and challenging feat to qualify.

She explains that though there is still

a ‘glass ceiling’, she hopes that “we can educate, encourage and support our young women who are studying or aspiring to enter the design or construction field.

Susan Behrens explains “At age 26, I was the liaison to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) continued on page 37

Inspire WOMEN 21

career

I was raised in a middle class family of six. My father worked and my mother stayed at home to look after her family.

I come from what is defined as “Generation X” or what others term the “Middle child generation”, a generation which is self-reliant, savvy, and calculating.

The

FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT 1

Here are six tips to get you headed into the right direction:

Woman

Look at your parents.

BY C ARL A SEELY

eing raised to be an independent woman, it was drilled into me at a very young age to never rely on anyone but myself. I firmly believe that the values my parents instilled in me have shaped my character into adulthood, guided my choices of career and ensured I would always be independent. Yes, I am happily married but I need to always make sure I can put food on the table, a roof over my head and clothes on my back; simply put, that I can be financially independent.

Regardless of whether you are married, single, divorced or widowed, making sure you are financially independent is essential. As a woman, the feeling of empowerment that can come from understanding and engaging with your financial plan is invaluable. Having the power to make independent choices comes from knowledge, sometimes trial and error but ultimately standing firm on the choices you make.

So where to start in creating your financial independence?

22 Inspire WOMEN

2

By looking at your parents spending and saving habits you can choose to copy what they do or do the opposite. You are at a point in your life where you can already tell whether the financial choices your parents have made are working for them or not. Now, I may get scolded on that comment, but the reality is that looking at your parents’ money habits will guide you in the way you will develop yours.

Visualize and then create an action plan.

What is your vision of financial independence? As we get older our vision changes; perhaps in your 20’s it means paying off student loans and by the time your reach your 50’s it is saving more for retirement.

4

5

Spending spreadsheet A fancy word for a budget, I don’t like using the word budget as it makes me feel like I have to restrict myself.

Spending spreadsheet sounds like it offers more flexibility and, at the end of the day you are tracking your spending habits. I read a great quote a couple of years ago in Forbes magazine: “If you spend like a millionaire, you’ll end up a pauper”, however, “Spend like a pauper and you have a shot of becoming a millionaire.” Item one on your spending spreadsheet should be to pay yourself first, i.e. save some money before you spend it all on the ‘must haves’ and ‘want to haves’.

Eliminate the loan Debt is crippling and our priorities have become mixed up. “Wants” have become “needs”. Retrain the brain; if you don’t have the money to pay for it don’t buy it. You don’t need to take a loan out to buy a car, save for the car and buy a secondhand one you can pay cash for. You do not need to take a loan for your wedding. If you are planning to get married then have a ceremony and reception that you can afford to pay for. A home is slightly different as most people don’t have $500,000 plus to buy a place outright, but they do have the ability to choose a comfortable mortgage payment.

Buy something within your monthly means and if you can, don’t max out the amortization of the mortgage.

Think about it, do you really want to spend the next 30 years in debt? If your spending spreadsheet indicates a long amortization period is necessary, make plans to pay down some of your mortgage balance from time to time as your income grows.

Imagine

Plant it, water it, nurture it and let it grow.

Treat your investment account the same way you garden. I love to garden so hence the analogy here.

Firstly, selecting the right type of investments are important and working with a professional investment advisor is essential. By adding money to your investment account on a monthly basis, you will get yourself into a long-term savings routine. Then when you regularly review your investments, you may make changes or tweak the investments selected to ensure you maintain diversification. Over the long term, your investment portfolio will increase.

One thing is for sure, while everyone defines financial independence a little differently, there are some common denominators that apply to all of us. It means you’re able to completely support yourself without the help of outside parties, including family, friends or partners.

It means relying on your own steady income and taking control over your own finances and not living with excessive debt. It means knowing where you want your finances to be and implementing a feasible plan to achieve those goals. By taking the time to learn more about your finances and how to create financial independence, you’ve already put yourself on the road to securing your financial freedom.

Carla Seely is the Vice President of Pension and Investments at Freisenbruch-Meyer. If you would like any further information please contact cseely@ fmgroup.bm or call 441 297 8686.

your children having financial security from birth to their 18th birthday.

LIFE INSURANCE Picture yourself giving your child/ children a gift that keeps giving, to them and their future families, for many years after their 18th birthday.

By purchasing permanent life insurance it enables you to make a contribution to your children’s financial future.

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n

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY FREISENBRUCH-MEYER GROUP

3

Whatever age you are, start by getting a realistic picture of your current financial situation and start to create your plan.

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F• 441.295.6209 INFO@FMGROUP.BM

fmgroup.bm

Inspire WOMEN 23

Love waking up to Monday mornings!

Why Employee Engagement Matters

Do you remember when you were a child at large family gatherings, there were two tables: one for the grown-ups and one for the kids. As kids, we did not get to choose where we sat or even what we ate—the grown-ups made those decisions for us.

Those of us who were assigned to the kids’ table were not exactly engaged in the whole family dinner experience. We either goofed around or just put up with it until dinner was over and we could go home and play. Sound familiar?

Fast forward a decade or so, and many of us find ourselves in a similar situation at work. Often times we are told where to sit, what to do and how to do it. We constantly have to deal with the many distractions that can pop up at work and have no place to go to get away and focus.

Unfortunately, for a significant population of the world’s employees, work is something they simply put up with until it’s over and it’s time to go home and play.

That’s because so many employees are disengaged. And it’s a huge problem for businesses and other employees. Disengaged workers are often doing just enough to avoid getting fired.

They can drag down teams and cost the company time, money and opportunities.

There are many reasons people become disengaged, or not. At Steelcase, their research has shown that the physical environment shapes people’s beliefs and behaviors, and they wanted to understand how the workplace impacts engagement, and what kinds of changes can make a difference.

They partnered with global research firm IPSOS to conduct a study in 17 countries with over 12,000 office workers. They asked questions about their physical environment, such as the type of space they work in, the culture of their organization and what their experience is like at work.

Steelcase learned that 37%—over 1 in 3 employees—are disengaged. At the opposite end of the spectrum, 34% of workers are engaged, and 29% are in the middle-ground. It’s a pretty precarious balancing act for organizations to keep disengaged workers from effectively

canceling out the efforts of their highly engaged counterparts.

The good news is our research confirmed that the workplace can help tip the balance in the right direction.The data showed a correlation between how satisfied

to walk into a place where you feel energized and inspired to do your best work. Wouldn’t it be great to have that kind of experience, at least most of the time, at work?

Do you remember the first Easter dinner when you got to sit at the grown-ups’ table. You sat up a little straighter, and was on your best behavior. It felt great that someone trusted you enough to make good decisions.

“We wanted to understand how the workplace impacts engagement, and what kinds of changes can make a difference.”

CHRISTINE CONGDON

EDITOR, 360 MAGAZINE & DIRECTOR, GLOBAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

people were with their workplace and how engaged they were. In short, people who were happy with their office tended to be more engaged. But the people who hated their office, tended to be more disengaged.

The research also identified ways to design offices so that people can feel better about their workplace. Comparing the differences between highly engaged and the highly disengaged workers, we saw a pattern: employees who have more choice and control over their work experience are more engaged.

For example, highly engaged workers are typically able to choose where to work in the office based on the task they are doing—they aren’t tethered to their desk.They can control their need for privacy, concentrate easily and work with their teammates without disruptions.

Their workplace supports movement throughout the day and working in a variety of postures.

The workplace should be designed to give employees choices and enable them to have a higher degree of control over their work experience. It can help people feel like grown-ups, and in turn be used as a strategic tool for organizations to help improve engagement levels.

Engagement at work is a complex topic with a lot of variables. And of course, simply redesigning your workplace is not going to solve every engagement issue. But we all know what it’s like

Isn’t it time to give everyone in the organization a seat at the grown-ups’ table? According to the Steelcase study, it can have a very big impact on employee engagement.

A.F. Smith are the local dealers of Steelcase.

Contact Tim Usher, VP - Workspace, to learn more about how you can increase engagement in your workplace! 292-1882 | tusher@afsmith.bm

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lifestyle We all know that morning work wear decisions can be challenging leaving you lacklustre, uninspired and late! With the summer trends now here, Sproosy takes a look at how to work the season’s key trends into your office outfits.

Summer

Workwear

REFRESH The Paperbag Waist: Enjoy pants and

skirts with a roomy silhouette and look two sizes smaller!

Style Tip: Pair with a fitted structured top or silky cami and cropped blazer. The new waistline adds instant detail and breathes new life into a simple top-and-pants look with little effort.

26 Inspire WOMEN

Sleeveless Blazer: The sleeveless blazer has become an absolute hero wardrobe piece and a great way to up-style your look at the office without being overheated. Style Tip: Choose a lightweight option to add finesse and polish to a pair of cropped pants and cami or tank.

Colour Tip: Add a

pop of colour to traditional neutral palettes, or try touches of statement textures and print.

The Slip Dress: If

you buy one key item for your Summer 16 closet it should be the slinky slip dress. However the lingerie inspired daytime dress may seem a tricky one to work into your 9-5 selection.

Style Tip: Opt for a less revealing style and simple fabric with out the lace and just add a blazer. This is a perfect Friday outfit that can take you straight to happy hour.

The Midi Skirt/Dress: This romantic skirt continues to have its moment and its conservative length is ideal for the office.

Style Tip: Pair with a slim blouse or fitted crop cardi to balance out the volume below.

Backpack: The humble backpack

has been given a makeover thanks to Burberry. Give your shoulders a rest and try a luxed-up version of this back-tobasic bag this summer. Style Tip: Try an all leather backpack as alternative for your work tote.

Sproosy offers personal style guides and shopping services for those that need a go to daily reference customised to their wardrobe –

www.sproosy.com

Backless Shoes: Try a chic pair of backless

slippers. Style Tip:This latest must-have style will add effortlessly cool edge to your work style. Flat and heeled versions can be equally office chic.

The Cold Shoulder: Fashion has a new erogenous zone this summer – the shoulder. Sleek finishes and fresher shades are making this a comeback sartorial hit. Style Tip Go for a Bardot style blouse with a higher off-the-shoulder cut and pair with some tailored trousers to sample this feminine and timeless trend at work.

Inspire WOMEN 27

parenting

Tips to Raise Kids who are

Smart about Money When I began writing this article, I started off with the ordinary things you would write when asked to put something together for a magazine on money matters such as saving for retirement and investing. hen my focus changed. I thought since mothers historically have such an impact on their kids, is there some way they can to teach their kids about money matters? My answer came from a book called The Opposite of Spoiled – Raising Kids who are Grounded, Generous and Smart about Money by Ron Lieber.

The book was filled with interesting anecdotes and lessons on teaching kids about money, keeping them grounded and handling those hard questions about wealth like “Mommy are we poor or rich?”.

1. Use an allowance as a teaching tool.

Most people link allowance to chores i.e. if you do this, you get this. However, the author argues an allowance should be independent of chores because children “ought to do [chores] for the same reason we do — because the chores need to be done.”

He provides a neat formula for an allowance based on age not work – “with children under 10, 50 cents to $1 a week per year of age….with a raise on their birthdays”.

30 Inspire WOMEN

BY MIGUEL DAPONTE, Senior Vice President at BF&M.

2. Have them split their allowance into three jars: give, save and spend.

Financially healthy adults will spend about 80% of what they earn, save 15%-20%, and give the remaining balance. For children this can be used as a lesson on budgeting. Each jar serves as a stand-in for the values and virtues that are the opposite of spoiled.

3. Let your children make their own spending decisions.

“They’ll inevitably make mistakes or spend money on trinkets and regret it later when they don’t have money for things they truly want,” says Lieber. “So letting them make mistakes — spectacular ones even — is a great way to go, because then they learn.”

4. Explain how you distinguish between wants vs. needs.

Every family will have its own threshold for this, but even more important is that you communicate why you set the line there.

6. Have your kids work.

For parents worried that time spent working is time spent not studying or volunteering, Lieber explains, “Part-time jobs are correlated with high college expectations and good grade point averages so long as a teenager doesn’t work for more than 15 hours or so each week.”

7. Practice gratitude.

Try performing a toast at the beginning of every meal — to any person or thing or institution that has made you happy that day. Kids love it because it’s a grown-up thing and they love the visceral fun of clinking glasses. But more importantly, “it helps kids focus on the things they have. If you do that enough, it can lead to not wanting quite as many things as you don’t have,” he says.

Please let me know your thoughts or any other suggestions you may have for teaching kids by emailing me on mdaponte@bfm.bm.

5. Involve them in your

Horizon Plan

giving decisions.

When you allocate your charity budget, get your children’s input. With his own daughter, Lieber and his wife put 100 beans on their dining room table to represent their donations for the year (because she was 8, they didn’t get into the dollar amounts) and then set aside beans for various charities based on where they had previously donated.

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Inspire WOMEN 31

parenting

10 Things You Should Ask Before

SENDING YOUR CHILD TO CAMP

BY SAFE C AMPS BERMUDA

Its almost summer time and children just want to have fun! Parents are looking for safe affordable childcare. arents, before you send your child to camp you want to make sure that they are safe, supervised and engaged in activities that keep their minds and bodies active.

The following questions are 10 suggested questions for parents to ask before you sign your child up for camp:

1. Where is the camp located?

Is there a suitable and safe building/structure for the camp’s base?

All programmes should meet established guidelines for indoor space, free from hazards, in good condition and meet environmental health standards.

2. Who are the staff operating

the camp?

Do you do background checks on your staff? Are the camp staff CPR/

32 Inspire WOMEN

First Aid trained? Are medical forms about the campers collected; how are medications stored?

At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communications, behavior management techniques and child physical and sexual abuse prevention and reporting.

3. What is the camp’s philisophy

and programe emphasis?

Is the camp’s program/ activities age and developmentally appropriate for the children they serve.

What does a typical day look like for the camper, what does the camp focus on? How many hours are spent inside and how many outside in the sun? Are the campers oriented to the camp and to systems put in place to keep campers safe?

4. What is the camp’s behaviour and

disciplinary policy?

What are the rules and consequences?

How do they use positive reinforcement? Is there a policy on bullying?

What is the behavior management philosophy? Will parents or guardians be contacted in the case of problematic behavior becoming a safety issue for the child or others?

5. What is the counselor-to-

camper ratio?

Ratios and maximum group size vary according to age and activity. See the suggested ratios posted on Environmental Health’s Web site, outlined in the Guidelines for Day and Over Night Camp Administrators and the Safe Camps Bermuda Facebook page.

You may wish to add the following US based guidelines on day camp staff to child ratio for whoever is caring for your child: In day camp, there must be one senior counselor for every six children under the age of 6; one for every nine children between the ages of 6

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERMUDA NATIONALTRUST CAMP

and 7 and one for every twelve children who are 8 years old and above.

6. What is the transportation/

excursion policy?

Does the camp provide transportation? If yes, is it via pre-organized vans or buses? What are the conditions of the vans i.e.; seatbelts and driver experience. If bus, what are the checks and balances to ensure safety enroute. What is the contact number of a camp staff person that I can reach at all times even what campers are on excursions?

PHOTO COURTESY OF INMOTION

7. What is your water safety policy?

Children should not be permitted near water without supervision and a staff member who is First Aid -certified and familiar with lifesaving procedures. All campers’ ability to swim should be assessed and activities designed according to the skill level of each child.

8. What is the true cost of the camp?

What does the camp fee include?

Are there other expenses? Will outside activities cost extra? Is there a refund policy?

9. Is the camp registered?

All camps that take preschool age children must have their camp registered with the Deparment of Environmental Health. Other camps wishing to be given a seal of

approval should also be registered as striving to meet best practice standards and keep children safe.

10. What are your policies on visitors

and/or communicating concerns?

How does the camp screen visitors?

Parents should make sure that there is a method for making sure that unauthorized visitors are not allowed access to their child. It’s also important for the camps to account for attendance and dismissal from camps.

Parents should have a plan in place designating how the child is to leave the camp, including the names of those that have permission to visit or escort their child home.

You should also feel comfortable knowing who to lodge a concern or grievance with.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: - FOR MORE INFORMATION CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK @Safe Camps Bermuda

Inspire WOMEN 33

wellbeing

SCREENING

Mammography in Bermuda

BY ROBYN DICKINSON-BARAS, BERMUDA CANCER AND HEALTH CENTRE

he not-for-profit charity, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre follows The American College of Radiology (ACR) recommendations for screening mammography for breast cancer detection. This recommendation is for women to begin screening mammography at age 40 yrs and to continue with annual screening mammography while in good health. The ACR is one of several organizations which provide guidelines on breast cancer screening recommendations. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) being two other leading organizations which weigh in on cancer screening recommendations.

During 2015 both the ACS and USPSTF amended their guidelines for screening mammography. The ACS recommendation women should begin yearly screening mammograms at 45 yrs, and at the age of 55 yrs to have mammograms every other year. The ACS further recom-

36 Inspire WOMEN

mends that women continue screening as long as their overall health is good.

The USPSTF recommend that women age 50 to 74 yrs have screening mammograms every two years and that decisions to screen before the age of 50 yrs should

be an individual one and after the age of 75 yrs the USPSTF concluded that current evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms.

These shifting mammography guidelines are raising more controversy and confusion for women regarding screening. The differing guidelines may also have the most significant implications for black women as, according to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer occurs five yrs earlier in black women compared to white women and have a 41% higher mortality rate for breast cancer than their white counterparts. This is especially important in a country like Bermuda as the majority of our population is made up of people of African descent.

Here is what we know for sure: •

Black women overall have a slightly lower incidence rate of breast cancer than white women.

However, those under the age of 40 have a higher incidence rate.

•

The difference in breast cancer mortality rates between black and white women is 40 percent.

•

Black women are on average five years younger than white women when diagnosed.

If we look at this latest set of guidelines in light of what we know about black women and breast cancer, we have to ask if delaying screening and diagnosis is best for black women, and therefore Bermuda.

So what does Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre recommend?

Talk to your doctor – The best way to know when to begin screening for mammograms and how often to get screened is to talk to your medical provider. Begin talking to your doctor about breast cancer screening by age 40. Share your family history and personal medical history to determine whether you are at average risk or higher risk for breast cancer.

Be your own advocate – awareness and action are so important. Be an advocate for yourself, your family and your community. The more you know about breast cancer, the better prepared you will be to survive if diagnosed.

Know your family history – know your risk factors and family history. It is found that many families do not talk about their cancer history. This is especially important in the black community as breast cancer in younger women tend to have more aggressive tumors that do not respond as well to standard breast cancer treatment.

Women who are at high-risk because of family history, a breast condition or another reason may need to begin screening earlier and/or more often.

Continue breast self-exam – Be vigilant about doing breast self-exams each and every month at the same time. Get to know your breasts and if anything is out of the ordinary, call your GP to look into it further.

Health insurance benefits often determines access to care.

Women without health insurance are twice as likely to die from breast cancer as women with health insurance.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is a registered charity who donates an average of $250,000 annually for patients who cannot afford the detection services they need.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is reimbursed, for most services, for women who have Health Insurance and these fees make sure that Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre can cover costs and also support those in our community who do not have health insurance. Your patronage and donations are very important in helping other women get their necessary screenings. For more information contact 236-1001 or visit www.chc.bm.

Together, we can.

Your mammogram could save another’s life.

Find out how.

Visit: chc.bm

Call: 236-1001 Inspire WOMEN 37

wellbeing

Power to the Patient

BY SIMONE BARTON, CEO, Bermuda Heart Foundation and Founder of CORE Heart Health Center

Bermudian’s have a tendency to put more effort into planning their next vacations than making sure they are receiving the right healthcare, in the right setting, provided by the right medical professional. Too many of us put a lot of faith in our medical providers and do not fully engage in open dialogue about our health matters out of fear, intimidation or uncertainties.

hese questions might seem simple, but we often fail to realize their importance. Questions like… why do I need this treatment? And what are the risks associated with the test or drug? Or, if being referred to another doctor, why this physician? What are their credentials? How long have they been practicing? If being referred abroad, how do both the hospital and the doctor rank in their region for the specialty you need? How many procedures do they do and what is their success rate?

Too many of us just do what we are told without questioning, like sheep. The time has come to break free from the herd mentality and empower yourself, the patient, to take charge of your own health. We need to move from physician-centered care to patient-centered healthcare.

It is well documented you can improve the quality of health and reduce costs with patient-centered care.

Patient-centered care is a method of care that is growing rapidly, primarily because of its success. Physicians practicing patient-centered care improve their patients’ clinical outcomes and satisfaction rates by improving the quality of the doctor-patient relationship, while at the same time decreasing the utilization of diagnostic testing, prescriptions, hospitalizations, and referrals.

So how do we achieve patient-centered care? First, we must become a better, more knowledgeable patient.

I was one of those people that trusted my doctor with blind faith; he was my friend. My trust in him nearly killed me and has left me in stage 5 renal failure looking for a kidney donor. My physician sat back and watched my bun/ creatine levels get progressively worse and he never referred me to a nephrologist (a kidney specialist).

38 Inspire WOMEN

What I came to quickly realize is: healthcare is a business in which you and I are walking, talking dollar signs. The more office visits you schedule, the more revenue that is generated for the physician.

To make matters worse, because of our limited population in Bermuda, some physicians do not like to refer their patients to a specialist for fear of losing the revenue. That is what I believe happened to me: my physician watched for three years as my renal function kept declining. His own lab had flagged my chart for concern, yet he never once referred me to a nephrologist.

Last year, Bermuda spent over $700 million dollars on healthcare, second only to the USA. There is all of that money being spent on healthcare and yet we have very little to show for it. We lead the world in amputations – no other developed country in the world does more amputations then Bermuda. There has been a 17.5% growth rate in reported patients with renal failure; diabetes is still growing; and our sedentary, high fat, excess sugar lifestyles are killing us.

This is why it comes down to personal responsibility. We, as patients, have got to do a better job at not only managing but guarding our health to ensure that we live long and well.

We can’t do this by managing full-blown disease, but rather by preventing it all together. Read part 2 in our next issue to find out how you can empower yourself to get the best care possible.

Women In Design

continued from page 21

Task Force on Women in Architecture and founded the ‘Women in Architecture’ group for the St. Louis Chapter of the AIA, [before becoming] one of [only] four female registered architects in Bermuda.”

Vanessa J. Daniels, of Geoff Parker Architect, says “Culturally, Bermuda has a proud history of strong female figures. In other parts of the world where I have worked, this is not the case. In Bermuda, it is my professional role that is acknowledged, not my gender.” This is undoubtedly attributed in great part to the early efforts of Caulfield, Brown & Behrens, both in Bermuda and abroad.

While women entering the profession today are reporting increasing acceptance in the industry, many also remember the message that was delivered to them as young girls.

Erika Raubenheimer, of OBM International, recalls early warnings from her father “that site meetings will always be led by men”. Even though she stresses he never discouraged her from following her dream, she confirms that often being the only woman in a room full of men over the past 10 years, she has contemplated her father’s words many times.

Well-intentioned parents the world over, have been trying to shield their young girls from the double standards and inequality that have existed in the industry.

But women have been rising above stereotypes and stigmas for decades, and we show no signs of stopping.

Jennifer Davidson, of OBM International sums it up perfectly by saying “I try not to limit myself or others by stereotypes. I love what I do - I just happen to be a woman.”

While the outlook is generally positive and there is momentum in the industry to promote gender equality, in the end, it all comes down to opportunity. Charlita Saltus, of Saltus Associates, notes that

although “Women have made great strides, there is still a lot of work to be done”, adding “In my opinion the playing field is still not level.” We are an undeniable force in this industry, but in many ways we still require admittance at the gate. Like women in other professions, those in design and construction have to strike a balance between their career goals and their expected gender roles in ways that men have historically not had to do. Because of this, the IBA remains committed to continuing the great progress started by early women in the industry, and ensuring that young women entering the profession are afforded the same opportunities and recognition as their male colleagues.

Inspire WOMEN 39

Proud of Their Inspiring Women!

Front Row - L to R: Rita Pereira - 24 years, Albertha Waite - 45 years, Michelle Mallory - 22 years, Sharleta Franklin - 30 years, Natalie Rego - 32 years & Ronnette Burgess - 23 years Back Row - L to R: Zyorrita Jones - 30 years, Jamila Darrell - 10 years, Darnell Barnett - 32 years & Grace Brito - 22 years

270 combined years of dedicated service!