#Embrace Equity: 25 Outstanding Belizean Women Awarded
As Women’s Month begins to wind down, the National Women’s Commission and the Ministry of Human Development today celebrated the achievements of twenty-five conspicuously excellent Belizean women. They have stood out in various fields and levels of society, they have also been exemplary in the work that they continue to do for the development of Belize. This morning, News Five’s Isani Cayetano stopped in at the Biltmore where the award recipients were formally acknowledged.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Recognizing the important role that women play in shaping society goes well beyond the month of March. In fact, it’s a credit that is well-deserved at all times for the social, economic, cultural and political achievements that women have made, notwithstanding existing gender inequalities and inequities. Earlier today, a cohort of outstanding Belizean Women were formally acknowledged for their contributions. Among them, Dr. Carol Babb.
Carol Babb
Dr. Carol Babb, Recipient, Outstanding Women’s Award
“I know that this award is for all the beautiful, amazing and incredible women that I have been fortunate to have worked with. I could not have done it without them, so I want to applaud all of them for making me the person I am today. They have inspired me and I thank God for giving me this opportunity.”
The National Women’s Commission, the Ministry of Human Development, and the U.S. Embassy came together to organize a ceremony in recognition of twenty-five Belizean women who continue to go above and beyond to ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender, has equal access to opportunities, resources and benefits.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, President, National Women’s Commission
“The contributions of women are very much downplayed or often just passed over. I think that women are great community leaders, they are nation builders in their own right and I do believe [that] this yearly event, because it’s a yearly event organized by the National Women’s Commission aims to shine a light on all that they do and all they accomplish and through their efforts [in] aiding the development of Belize.”
Kristina Romero is the Director of Operations of Hope Haven Children’s Home and Empowerment Center. It’s a non-profit that provides refuge for abused, neglected and orphaned children. Having survived gender-based violence, Romero uses her voice to advocate for the most vulnerable in the community. She is also an award recipient.
Kristina Romero
Kristina Romero, Recipient, Oustanding Women’s Award
“It is truly an honor to be recognized. I was nominated by the San Pedro Town Council, Mayor Gualberto Nunez. It came as a surprise because I have been working and living in San Pedro for the past fifteen years and I’ve always been involved in the community. I volunteered with NEMO. Currently, I’m the director of the Emergency Operating Committee for NEMO in San Pedro. I’ve done work in drug prevention and education in the schools and currently, like I said, I’m the director of a children’s home where we serve girls, children, mostly girls that have suffered physical and sexual violence or severe neglect. So, to me, working in my community is something that comes naturally.”
The recipients of the Outstanding Women’s Awards are initially nominated by their employers or the organizations to which they belong. A committee then looks at the names, before making a determination on the final list of awardees.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
“We have partners that work along with the National Women’s Commission every year. We sent out a call that each organization nominates or organizations that would like to nominate someone, that they send up the name, a bio. We don’t turn away anyone. If your organization, for example, media would want to nominate someone, we gladly recognize. All that we ask is that the person has contributed towards the development of women, the development of country, in their community, in their sphere of influence.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
