The Award was introduced in 1983 to recognize and honour Caribbean
women who have made significant contributions to socio-economic
development at the national and regional levels.
During a meeting of Ministers of Women's Affairs to commemorate to
CARICOM’s Tenth Anniversary, it was recognized that the 1973 Treaty of
Chaguaramas addressed the need to examine the position of women in the
Region. Evolving out of the deliberations was the recommendation to
confer an award to an outstanding CARICOM woman whose work had made a
significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the
Caribbean.
The first Award was made in 1984 to Ms. Nesta Patrick, a national of
Trinidad and Tobago. Since then, eight others have received the Award
for their dedication and determination in broadening the parameters of
existence for women and improving their economic, social, political,
cultural and legal status. They are The late Dame Nita Barrow, national
of Barbados in 1987, Dr. Peggy Antrobus, a national of Grenada and a
citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 1990; Ms. Magda Pollard, a
national of Guyana, 1993; Dr. Lucille Mair, a national of Jamaica, 1996;
Professor Joycelin Massiah, a national of Guyana and a citizen of
Barbados, 1999; Professor Rhoda Reddock, a national of Trinidad and
Tobago, 2002; Justice Desiree Bernard, national of Guyana in 2005 and
Professor Barbara Bailey, a national of Jamaica, 2008.
For more information on the CARICOM Triennial Awardees
click here.
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