The message to the worshippers in the crowded Brooklyn church was clear: talk to your children, especially the males.
And it was delivered by Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix, a senior justice of the New York State Appeals Court, the busiest in the country.
She was among five Bajan women – Renee Cutting, the founder of the Young Barbadian Professionals Society (YBPS); Margaret Price, wife of former Barbados consul general Lennox Price; Helen Gaskin; and Beryl Edwards – who were honoured at a special service at St Leonard’s Church, an independent church.
“Don’t be afraid of your children,” the justice advised. “We must have conversations with them” and that should happen, she said.
“I brought up the issue at the service because the rap sheets (court documents) I saw when I was sitting as a judge in the criminal court, a large percentage of the youngsters that went through the criminal justice system were coming out of the Caribbean,” the judge explained later.
“They were coming from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and other places in the region. They come here with the thought of a better life but they are now ending up in the criminal justice system. That’s why parents must have discussions with their children, don’t be afraid.”
Does that apply to Bajans at home as well? Yes.
“Barbados has been exposed to the world through television (and the social media). I really couldn’t say people in Barbados are afraid of the young people. I don’t get that sense. But I certainly believe it applies to Barbadians because we are hearing about the prevalence of guns and the rise in crime,” she added.
“At one time that situation didn’t arise. At one time too not even police officers carried guns. Now it is different. Barbados is connected with the rest of the world through television.”
The Women’s Day celebration was organised by the Church’s Women’s Guild and Canon Dr Llewellyn Armstrong, St Leonard’s interim priest, said the service, the message, awards, prayers, the special address delivered by Dr Donna Hunte-Cox, the new Barbados consul general in the City, the sacrament and the music were all aimed at focusing attention on the major contributions of women in the home, church and the neighbourhoods.
“It’s important that we say thanks to the women, the mothers and the community-builders,” said Armstrong. “The Guild did an excellent job.”
In her address Hunte-Cox, whose husband Martin Cox, was in the congregation, spoke extensively of the place of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives and the value of recognising “communication from God when he was calling you to salvation”, a process, she said, “started at the beginning” and never stopped.
“God has ordained good works for you to walk in and it is communication from God that we receive through the Holy Spirit that we know where to walk, how to walk and when to walk,” she went on.
Cutting, holder of a master’s degree in education from Harvard University in Boston, is the chief development officer at Horizon’s, a national network whose mission is to transform the lives of students from poor families.
She has raised tens of millions of dollars for national and international organisations, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, Ralph Lauren Centre for Cancer Care and Prevention, Harvard University.
In the years since pioneering the formation of the YBPS, the Bajan group has awarded US$53 000 in academic scholarships and provided US$10 000 in educational supplies and book awards to Bajan and Caribbean youth.
After receiving her award, Cutting read from her recently published book of poetry, Secrets Of The Heart, which she explained, underscored women’s ability to overcome obstacles in essence, they “are survivors”.
Price, who like her husband grew up in St George and has been living in the United States since 1982, was hailed for her community activities involving the St Alban’s Episcopal Church and several Barbadian organisations.
“She has rendered valuable service to Barbadian organisations,” said Marva Jones, a prominent worshipper at the church who introduced the honorees.
Beryl Edwards, a member of St Leonard’s for almost 40 years, and Helen Gaskin, whose church membership dates back to almost half a century were both presented with community awards.
“The service was extra special,” asserted the Right Rev. Trevor Bentley, the bishop in residence at the 80-year-old church which was launched by a Bajan congregation.
