Some of the women who attended the event.
PHILIPSBURG–More than 150 women dressed in different shades of purple attended the kick-off event for this year’s Womanity Fest to mark International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8.
Attendees embraced womanhood at the Women of Worth (WOW) Gliz and Glam event at Holland House Beach Hotel.
Attendees were welcomed on a purple carpet with a Womanity Fest backdrop, where photos could be taken by photographer Randle Martina. Women received a purple WOW cocktail sponsored by Malibu and served by Holland House Beach Hotel staffers. The venue was festively decorated in purple, which is associated with efforts to achieve gender equality and signifies justice and dignity, according to a press release on Sunday.
“As widely associated with contemporary feminism, purple symbolises achievements gained and achievements yet to come. Another notable fact is that purple was also the colour of the women’s liberation movement. Looking at the women’s rights history, it appears that purple is the best colour accurately representing the strides that women are making to fight for an equal society.”
During the event, women danced to the tunes of Destiny’s Band with lead singer Shakiya Arrindell, female percussionist and vocals Beverly Mae Nisbeth, Arlington Lake on bass and vocals, and Marc Augustin on keyboard and vocals.
In brief remarks at the event Elektralyets Foundation President Mercedes van der Waals-Wyatt welcomed attendees, wished them happy International Women’s Day, and thanked them for attending to celebrate International Women’s Day.
She said, “We are all the make-up of this country and the building and nurturing pillars. We should continue to support others, uplift, inspire and strive for better for the ladies of St. Maarten to stay in tune with the theme for this year: Think equal, build smart and innovate for change.”
Positive Foundation President Shelly Alphonso stressed the importance of women’s breast and health screening, and urged women to take advantage of the screenings and survey being offered at the Vineyard Building this month in collaboration with American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine and the Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services (CPS).
Women’s Desk representative Malayka Marlin spoke about the desk’s goal to strengthen the position of women in the community and to help where needed.
Posh Productions Director Anna Richardson said she was happy to be part of this collaboration to showcase the importance of women being ambassadors and providing guidance to young girls, women and men on how to represent the island.
Attendees had a chance to take pictures with a WOW purple frame. Photo booth entrepreneur Ren-dwina Browne donated her time for a remembrance photo appreciation gift for attendees.
Belair Beach Hotel hosted invited guest from Anguilla co-founder of Hats and Heels Jade Reymond, developer of the domestic violence Hotline in Anguilla.
The “Four Faces of Women” workshop facilitated by Devki of Bhrama Kumaris at the Belair Community Centre and the 1,000-women unity march took place on Saturday.
Van der Waals Wyatt thanked sponsors for their continued support.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85887-more-than-150-attend-women-of-worth-event
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