Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 24, 2013 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to the United States of America Her Excellency Jacinth Henry-Martin has been praised for delivering an insightful, thought-provoking and inspiring presentation to hundreds of women from the U.S.A, Africa and the Caribbean.
The Ambassador was a guest speaker at the 2nd Annual WETATi (Women Empowered to Achieve the impossible) International Women’s Conference held recently in Maryland, U.S.A. It observed the theme “Women Power: Front and Center in the 21st Century – the Mindset of a WETATi Woman.”
Ambassador Henry-Martin’s presentation on the topic “Embracing our African and Caribbean Arts and Culture in the Diaspora” was well received by delegates which included prominent men and women including the First Lady of Katsina State, Nigeria, Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim Shema; the First Lady of Cross River State, Nigeria, Obioma Liyel-Imoke; and Maryland’s Secretary of State John McDonough.
The Ambassador’s address was primarily influenced by the experiences gained as a Member of Parliament (MP) in St. Kitts and Nevis who held ministerial responsibility for Culture from 2000 – 2004. She told Nollywood News of Nigeria that it was important for any true democracy to have equal representation.
“Our societies are comprised of males and females and so the decisions (policies) that go forward, to be maximized and to be truly representational must reflect what has come out of the thinking of males and females,” Her Excellency Henry-Martin emphasized. “So I’m not about just empowering women, but I’m about empowering society, empowering our countries. A country that is truly empowered is comprised of empowered men and empowered women.”
WETATi’s President and Founder Margaret Dureke said the St. Kitts and Nevis diplomat was “enthusiastic, straight forward, and very transparent and that many [delegates] really connected with her” during the presentation. “We know this not only because of what we observed but the feedback we are receiving bears this out.”
During her interview with Nollywood News, Ambassador Henry-Martin also shared some encouraging words for young people.
“I’m rooted in a conviction that is based on reality. A society at its best must [benefit] from the inputs of all components of society,” she stressed. “So my advice to young people, who are of this mindset and who aim for success, is to be steadfast in your view if it is based on sound judgement and rationale. If success is your destiny it means that you have to be persistent, consistent and responsible and be prepared to work hard, because nothing that’s worth achieving is easy.”