BPW Installs 2023-2024 Executive Committee
The Business and Professional Women’s Club of St. Kitts (BPW St. Kitts) held its annual installation and candle lighting ceremony at the Pro-Cathedral of St. George Anglican Church on 9th June 2023. The ceremony was undertaken to formally install the new team of elected members to serve as the incoming Executive Committee for BPW St. Kitts for the 2023-2024 term.
Present at the Installation and Candle Lighting Ceremony were specially invited guests including Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd, first female Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis and Dame Constance Mitcham, former cabinet minister and first female to be elected to the National Assembly, both avid supporters of BPW St. Kitts. Also present was one of the club’s founding members and first BPW president, Pamella Wall. Other guests included members of BPW St. Kitts, members of the other two recently launched affiliate clubs in the Federation – BPW Nevis and BPW Liamuiga, friends and family.
The featured speaker, Ms Deslyn Richards, spoke on the theme for the evening, ‘Women of Purpose, Committed to Service’. She offered inspirational tips and anecdotes to the incoming Executive and encouraged the members to commit themselves to the service of others and to be humble in their duties as they worked to advance the mission of BPW St. Kitts.
In her acceptance speech, Lyn Rogers-Bass, newly installed president who was re-elected to serve a second term, thanked the membership for continued support and confidence in her leadership. She informed the gathering that the club’s activities for the ensuing term would focus more on community-based programs and heightened awareness of the club’s role and functions in society.
The Installation Ceremony was led by fellow member and past president of BPW St. Kitts,
Ms Dawne Williams, in her capacity as the current Regional Coordinator for North America and the Caribbean, a position held for the first time by a Kittitian. In her address she reiterated the roles and responsibilities of each elected member and offered words of inspiration and wisdom to help guide the thoughts and actions of the newly elected team. The Candle Lighting Ceremony, a special ceremony to honour each of the countries represented, paying homage to their members, present and past, and the accomplishments made through their dedication to the BPW Mission, was ably led by Dr Christine Walwyn, Regional Finance and Events Coordinator for the North America and Caribbean Region.
At the ceremony, two individuals were recognized for their extraordinary service and dedication to BPW St. Kitts throughout the past year: Mr Josh Kelly who provided transport services and assistance during the BPW monthly ‘New to You Sale’ fundraiser and Mr Leonard Bass who provided various forms of assistance at BPW events and fundraisers.
BPW St. Kitts, founded in 1975, is one of the affiliate clubs of BPW International one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in over 100 countries in five continents. Its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young business and professional women. The club’s mission is to develop the professional, business and leadership potential of women at all levels through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skills building and economic empowerment programs and projects.
The 2023-2024 Executive Committee
President
Lyn Rogers-Bass
1st Vice President:
Gillian Crooke (Chairperson of Membership)
2nd Vice President:
Beliesha McDonald (Chairperson of Civics)
Honorary Secretary:
Nestrelda Browne
Assistant Honorary Secretary:
Arlene Edwards
Honorary Treasurer:
Glenna Evelyn
Assistant Honorary Treasurer:
Kenishia Warner
Parliamentarian:
Patricia Welsh
Floor Members & Chairs of the Standing Committees
Press & Publicity:
Youlouca Armony-Browne
Social & Hospitality:
Bernadette Williams
Projects & Programs:
Ionie Liburd Willett
Training & Development:
Shanika French
