PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- On Thursday evening, Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs & First Vice-President Honorable Valérie Damaseau honored 50 strong, influential women of St. Maarten/Saint Martin in what they termed the 1st Annual Oualichi International Women's Day Awards ceremony. The event though small and intimate, included local elected and appointed officials. Special honorees for this 1st official awards ceremony hosted by both governments were the late iconic women - former educator and lawyer Mrs. Mavis Brooks-Salmon and the Historian Daniella Jeffrey as well as former Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin and Ms. Evelyne Fleming.
Prime Minister Jacobs stated that this is a start of a wonderful trend that will continue for years to come, whereby we honor our wonderful, powerful, influential women of “Oualichi/Soualiga” who serve as role models for girls and women. Vice-President Valérie Damaseau highlighted the importance of giving women of St. Maarten/Saint Martin their flowers while they are alive to show honor for their contribution to the community throughout the past years.
Though the event was slated to start since 2019, with Ms. Jeffrey playing a key role, both leaders felt it imperative to still show the honor of their contribution to the families of the late icons, Brooks and Jeffrey, for their contribution to the development of St. Martin and the inspiring role they played to countless women on this 37 square mile gem in the Caribbean, and beyond.
“Congratulations to all honorees. The list was very long, and the general public can look forward to women of influence being highlighted throughout the month of March 2020,” concluded Prime Minister Jacobs.