(Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Central Eleuthera celebrated National Women’s month with a service of thanksgiving held at the Wesley Methodist Church in Governor’s Harbour, on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. The service, which began at 11am, brought together women from a cross-section of the community, to commemorate the contribution that women in the Bahamas have made to nation building, with special emphasis on the 50th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement in the country.
Women from across Eleuthera came together in a service of thanksgiving.
Female Elders, Pastors, Deacons, Ministers and Reverends from throughout the district, participated in different elements of the service, and Administrator for Central and South Eleuthera, Mrs. Margaret Symonette presented the message prepared by Minister of Social Services & Community Development, Melanie Griffin for the joint sitting of Parliament, which took place on Monday, November 26, to recognize, honour and salute the women of the Suffrage Movement here in the Bahamas. The historic sitting was specially planned, and took place on the 50th anniversary of women for the first time ever in the Bahamas casting their votes at the national polls on November 26, 1962.
The MP’s message, reminded those present that the Suffrage Movement, here in the Bahamas, is credited with ushering in a new generation of women who would then go on to break barriers in almost every strata of Bahamian society, saying, “It is on the foundation built by them that every female serving in leadership positions in every aspect of business, social, civic, religious and political life is built. It is through their efforts that women throughout the length and breadth of this Bahamas can say – We have truly contributed to fifty years of nation building.”
(L-R) Administrator Mrs. Margaret Symonette, Pastor Henry Whyte, and Bishop Clifford Petty.
The message delivered by guest speaker, Evangelist Velma Petty during the morning service at Wesley Methodist was also one that lauded the efforts of the Bahamian Suffragettes, reminding those in attendance, of how limited the role of women was fifty years ago. With a message themed on faithfulness, she then highlighted well known women in the bible who played significant roles in their society of the day, making bold and courageous steps to impact their circumstances.
Notably, three women posted to top leadership roles on Eleuthera, were all in attendance, including, District Superintendent of Education, Mrs. Helen Simmons-Johnson; Superintendent of Police – Eleuthera District, Ismella Davis; and Mrs. Margaret Symonette, the current Administrator for Central and South Eleuthera , and an Eleutheran native.
