Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 12, 2018 (DBSKN) — Ms Marian Browne, Chief Compliance Officer at the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis (DBSKN), and another six working class women, had motivations that brightened the observance of the International Women’s Day on Thursday March 8 which was themed ‘Press for Progress’.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine EDGE (Empowerment Diversity Growth Excellence) Chapter, in partnership with the Department of Gender Affairs hosted a Motivational Breakfast and Awards Ceremony in recognition of International Women’s Day 2018 held at the Royal St. Kitts Resort in Frigate Bay to celebrate the empowerment, diversity, growth and excellence of Federation’s women supported by the men.
“Adtalem EDGE is our Parent EDGE group which is a network of leadership scholars and professionals who promote the enhanced career experience and advancement of women in leadership roles at Adtalem Global Education/Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and in the broader community,” explained Mrs Desirée Mc Koy, Purchasing and Inventory Manager at RUSVM.
RUSVM EDGE was created to accelerate the advancement of women working at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine while fostering a culture of diversity and overall inclusiveness.
“By sharing information, best practices, education, and experiences, we help each other develop the leadership skills and career advancement opportunities that enable organisational success,” Mrs Mc Koy further outlined. “RUSVM EDGE was officially launched on October 19, 2017.”
The team has committed to several community projects and was exhilarated at the success of their first official community event in partnership with the Department of Gender Affairs – the motivational breakfast held on Thursday March 8 to mark the International Women’s Day.
“The inspiration behind the event was to celebrate the diversity of our women across the Federation and to support a notable charity,” explained Mrs Mc Koy. “As a part of our responsibility in the partnership with Gender Affairs, it was our vision to extend an invitation to the various businesses in the Federation to partner with us in recognising their outstanding female employees. They were asked to identify a female colleague, who positively impacted and dedicated her time to the success of the organisation.”
The seven honoured were presented their awards by Mrs Trellor Fraites, Laboratory Services Director at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. They were Mrs Marian Browne of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Mrs Valarie Adams of Kajola-Kristada, No 383 Sgt. Shorna Francis-Edwards of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Ms Andrea Alexander of RUSVM, Ms Sanshe’ Thompson of SKELEC, Mrs Annette Lestrade of ScotiaBank, and Ms Doris Archibald of Jaro Electronics.
The organisations were also asked to honour other female employees by purchasing tickets to the event on their behalves and allowing them the time to attend and be motivated to strive for excellence. The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis had Chief Accountant Ms Cheryl Moses, Manager Human Resources Ms Danienne Brin, and Marketing Officer Ms Vernitha Maynard in attendance.
“We at the Development Bank applaud the thoughtfulness exhibited by Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine EDGE for encouraging the various organisations to honour the women who have made positive contributions at their workplace,” said Ms Danienne Brin, Human Resource Manager at the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Added Ms Brin: “Sometimes we tend to take for granted the role women play at the workplace. They have heavy responsibilities at home which they perform with distinction and when they go to their jobs they still have the energy to put their organisation on an even keel. At the Development Bank we are very proud of our Chief Compliance Officer, Ms Marian Browne, who has worked for this organisation for over 33 years.”
The EDGE Champions at RUSVM are Ms Cyndie Demming, Mrs Trellor Fraites, Dr Hilari French, and Mrs Desirée Mc Koy, while Dr Jennifer Bradtke sits on the Global Steering Committee.
Collectively they are charged with responsibility of the agenda of the group, to organise regular meetings, build a membership within the organisation and to coordinate activities within Ross and the external Community that empower women and girls to succeed.
One of the speakers at the event was Dr Rhonda McIntyre, Dean of the Ross University School of Medicine Satellite Campus, described as a true woman of excellence, and quite accomplished in her endeavours.
Proceeds raised net of expenses, a total of EC$7,141.00, which were donated to Ade’s Place in Greenlands, Basseterre, a charity selected by the Department of Gender Affairs.
At the Motivational Breakfast which was also attended by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, and Deputy Prime Minister the Hon Shawn Richards, another eight women were also honoured by the Department of Gender Affairs. One was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award which was presented by the Prime Minister, and seven were presented their awards by the Minister of State with Responsibility for Gender Affairs the Hon Wendy Phipps.
During the event, a number of questions were put to the floor and the first one which required one to state the theme of last year’s IWD celebrations was correctly answered by Ms Danienne Brin of Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, who received a token from the Department of Gender Affairs for her effort.
END