Leading ladies of non-governmental organisations, former schoolmates and constituents joined family and friends at St James Parish Church last Sunday to celebrate Dame Maizie Barker-Welch’s latest achievement.
In praising the lifelong work of the dame, one day after International Women’s Day, president of the National Organisation of Women (NOW), Marilyn Rice-Bowen, said Dame Maizie was bestowed the Order of the British Empire in a year when just over 50 per cent of the honorees were women, coming from ethnic minority communities.
She expressed pleasure that Barbados’ own was chosen during a time of historic significance.
Furthermore, she encouraged the congregation not to wait until retirement to inspire change in Barbados.
“We can’t pause domestic violence until retirement. We can’t pause child sexual abuse until retirement . . . [or] our quest to increase women’s political participation . . . . The only time we have is now.”
Also paying tribute to the dame were Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner in her capacity as executive member of the Inter-American Commission of Women; director of the Bureau of Gender Affairs Patricia Hackett-Codrington, and former constituent Venice Morris.
Sunday evening was also filled with song, poetry and dance, featuring some of the island’s best artistes – Carolyn Leacock, Mya Daniel, Gaye Gajadhar and Paula Hinds.
A little teary-eyed, the lady of the evening admitted she was “speechless” but was feeling the love from those in attendance.
“I am happy that you did not wait till I had gone home to tell me that you cared for me,” she added with a smile.
In keeping with Dame Maizie’s well known sense of style, the ladies made sure to impress with fanciful hats to compliment their Sunday best.
(LW)
