On Saturday, First Lady Cecile de Jongh was a featured presenter at a Women’s Empowerment Summit in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The event was organized by entrepreneur and publisher Portia Harrigan, a native of the Bahamas and resident of the BVI. 

First Lady Cecile de Jongh takes a question from the audience with women's rights attorney Tana'ania Small-Davis at the Women's Empowerment Summit in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, November 19, 2011.

Women from throughout the Caribbean participated in the summit, focusing on women’s leadership and empowerment in the global community. Various panel discussions provided insight and guidance on topics such as inspiring personal success in the workplace and in family life; navigating the current economic climate; unlocking the keys to financial freedom; Caribbean integration and the importance of community stewardship in moving the region forward; and bringing value to the lives of others.

“Over time, the role of women in society has evolved, and it continues to evolve as the global community addresses issues of advancing technologies, women’s equality in the workplace, fundamental shifts in international and local economies, individual financial security and family life. In an era of economic crisis, in particular, it is important to provide not only mentorship to one another, but also opportunities for our collective progress,” the first lady said.

She spoke candidly in an on-stage interview with Tana’ania Small-Davis, a women’s rights attorney in the BVI, at the Eileen Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stout Community College on Tortola. The first lady recounted personal experiences during the 75 minute interview and answered questions from summit attendees on a wide range of topics on the role of women in modern Caribbean society.

From left to right: First Lady Judith Walwyn, wife of Honorable Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture; First Lady Euriniece Christian, wife of Honorable Archibald Christian, Territorial Representative; First Lady Cecile de Jongh; First Lady Judith Vanterpool, wife of Honorable Mark Vanterpool, Minister of Communications and Works; First Lady Janice Skelton, wife of Honorable Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Health and Social Development; and First Lady Alice Pickering, wife of Honorable Kendrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labor.

In discussing family life, the first lady shared various lessons learned from her mother and father in growing up that helped lay a foundation for her focus on education and success throughout her life, including lessons that she passes on to her own three children. “Growing up, my father always stressed to us the importance of success through education in striving for financial security.” She also discussed the role of femininity in the 21st century, and how to balance family and professional life. 

She said she hopes to see women continue their rise not just in the business world, but in politics, as well. “Women have the potential to change the political dynamic world-wide and certainly in the region. The Caribbean has a lot to offer, and having female leadership provides an additional perspective in overall community empowerment. We have to start stepping outside of our comfort zone and bring other women along into politics to elevate the conversation on issues of distinctive concern to women and girls, and also in order to provide a comprehensive dialogue on issues from these diverse perspectives.”

Ms. Small-Davis noted during the discussion with the first lady that “80% of Caribbean households are run by women.” The two went on to discuss how, in a matriarchal society, women’s leadership in the home is not yet translating into representation at the highest levels in government and in the corporate world. 

“While we are not seeing true equal representation at the top, women are, in many ways, quite active behind-the-scenes, including at the highest levels. We have to keep in mind that a certain vulnerability is created in running for office, and in positioning oneself for public exposure,” the first lady said. “Women, I think, are very measured in navigating the demands of the work/family balance and recognize the trade-offs in focusing largely on one or the other.”

Noting the ongoing evolution of women’s role in society, she pointed to the increasing trend of women enrolling in and graduating from colleges and universities in greater numbers than men in developed countries. “I think we have the opportunity to effectuate great change throughout the world community and anticipate that there will be even more women in positions of leadership in the very near future.”

Other topics discussed by the first lady included campaigning for Barak Obama and U.S. presidential politics; women’s leadership challenges and how to overcome setbacks and get ahead; the importance of community in providing positive role models and examples to children and families; the significance of women’s achievements behind the scenes and out in front in the public arena; and the need for women to aspire to the highest seats of power. She also discussed her initiatives as first lady of the Virgin Islands, including regarding health and wellness; the hungry and homeless; children and families with special needs and disabilities via CHADD, Camp Shriver and the Special Olympics; the Rwanda Project USVI; and other initiatives. 

During the summit, the first lady presented tokens of appreciation to the wives of various BVI Government leaders, including to First Lady Alice Pickering, wife of Honorable Kendrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labor; First Lady Judith Walwyn, wife of Honorable Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture; First Lady Janice Skelton, wife of Honorable Ronnie Skelton, Minister of Health and Social Development; First Lady Judith Vanterpool, wife of Honorable Mark Vanterpool, Minister of Communications and Works, as well as to First Lady Euriniece Christian, wife of Honorable Archibald Christian, Territorial Representative.

The Women’s Empowerment Summit was organized to coincide with the launch of a new BVI publication, E Woman Magazine, also founded by summit organizer Portia Harrigan, which will be distributed over the November/December 2011 holiday season. According to Harrigan, the magazine is “for and about the extraordinary, exuberant, enterprising, empowered Caribbean woman.” The first lady will appear on the cover of the inaugural issue and is also featured in an article discussing the role of women in modern Caribbean society. The magazine, once launched, will be available bi-monthly.