Throughout the ages of history, gender equality has always been and continues to be a topic. All across the globe, awe-inspiring and commendable strides have been made in demonstration to the world that women are capable of achieving so much and more! ‘Breaking the glass ceiling’ is a metaphor used widely on the international scene in recognition of women defeating barriers to excel in various areas be it sports, politics, entertainment and the list goes.
Many of us are quite aware of the accomplishments that some females have made throughout the world in etching their names on the walls of history among the famous women known for positive contributions. Some examples – Aretha Franklin became the first woman to be inducted in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Oprah Winfrey in 2003 was named the first female African American billionaire and Amelia Earhart who was recognised in 1928 as the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles in 1980 was elected the first female Prime Minister of Dominica, a position she held until 1995 in occupying such as the first woman in the Caribbean region to do so. And just recently right in the region also, Earla HarewoodChristopher became Trinidad and Tobago’s first female Police Commissioner on Friday 3rd February.
For us here in St. Kitts and Nevis, we have recently made history too! Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd GCMG,JP is the first female Governor-General! Many citizens and residents of course are quite pleased to have witnessed such an accomplishment in their lifetime with showers of praise on the subject of ‘breaking the glass ceiling’.
Dame Marcella is well-known for her years of service which include occupying the positions of elected Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Two and Speaker of the National Assembly. It is also quite pleasing to see the level of female representation in the current administration occupying seats in Parliament namely-Speaker of the National Assembly Lanein Blanchette, Senators Isalean Phillip and Dr.
Joyelle Clarke as well as Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Central Basseterre Marsha Henderson. It is understood that the “glass ceiling” term came about in 1978 at the Women’s Exposition in New York, US, having been coined by writer and consultant Marilyn Loden, and that from the period 1991 to 1996, the US Department of Labor From, through The Glass Ceiling Commission, had studied the phenomenon and women and minorities in the workforce were being affected by such.
That commission in 1995 had discovered that white men held most management positions in corporations while women and minorities had fewer access to leadership opportunities. Throughout societies, it is wellknown that for years women have been aiming to have equal rights and access whether on personal or professional levels, and so when the topic comes up that yet another female has done it again, the sound of the glass ceiling breaking can be heard near and far.
With such achievements come the applause and cheers coupled with hopes that a pattern has been set for others to follow whether through systematic equality or by others applying the mindset and efforts in getting their fair chance to elevate to the ‘glass ceiling’ soaring high even to break it. Congratulations to Dame Marcella Liburd.
May you serve with distinction!
