By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

genea@nasguard.com

Six women from Grand Bahama were honoured on Sunday by The Bureau of Women's Affairs within the Ministry of Labour and Social Development in conjunction with the Community of Non-governmental Women's Organization for their significant contribution to various sectors of society.

A special luncheon was held at the Lucianos Restaurant in Port Lucaya with family and friends of those being honoured, in attendance.

The honorees included Dr. Susan J. Wallace for her work in religion; Rose Carson for Music; Barbara Thompson for education; Sue-Lynne McCrea for literacy and performing arts; Paula La Plant for music and Hillary Jones for business.

Minister of State for Labour and Social Development, Loretta Butler-Turner, brought brief remarks to the honorees and said that women have to be advocates for government.

"I am in government but I am only one voice. Do not worry about the politics of government. Forget about the polecats and encourage all governments to realize that we in civil society can dictate what we want to achieve in our society," she said.

"If we want to ensure that there are things that we want done in our society, we want more women around that table to make decisions. Let us start from the bottom and ensure that the weak among us become educated and that we start instilling in them the values of a women."

Reverend Marie Roach served as the guest speaker for the event and made biblical reference to Ruth and Naomi who sought to help each other out holistically.

Roach said that when faced with difficulty both women saw to each others physical emotional and spiritual needs.

"Too often we look at one and neglect the others," she said. "We give material things to meet physical needs but we neglect to offer emotional and spiritual support as well. There are times when these things are needed more urgently than others.

Roach said that today many of our young women are battling self esteem issues, depression, abuse and are in unhealthy relationships.

'Too many of them are resorting to cutting, drugs, alcohol, risky behaviour and sad to day, suicide.

Roach said that women can do their part in helping each other get by through encouragement and inspiration.

"Beneath all the tough, broken exteriors are young wo-men with hopes and dreams, with aspirations, needing to be loved in a healthy manner, needing positive guidance and direction, for someone to believe in them and their dreams."

Following Roach's remarks all of the honorees were presented with plaques on their notable achievements.