[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Community Last Updated: Nov 6, 2018 - 5:50:20 PM


‘GirlCon’ Enlists Female Powerhouses for Conference
By Sarah Kirkby - Barefoot Marketing
Nov 6, 2018 - 4:19:09 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

Jan-_Pic.jpg
Janet Martin-Isaacs has built a health and wellness empire dubbed Jemi Health & Wellness. With two locations in New Providence, she continues to inspire Bahamians to live their healthiest lives. She is one of four powerhouse women chosen as a panelist for the upcoming GirlCon event this November. (Photos Courtesy of GirlCon)

Freeport, Bahamas – GirlCon, the country’s premier event for women and girls will return on November 20, 2018 for its second Annual Conference under the theme: “I am, I can, I will”.  What began as a singular event dubbed “GirlCon” in 2017 has now mushroomed into a movement which has attracted the best and brightest female talents that the country has to offer and birthed an organization focused on inspiring, motivating and empowering the next generation of female leaders.

Aligning itself with mission and vision of similar international organizations, the GirlCon Organization recognizes its responsibility to ensure that girls in The Bahamas have every opportunity to succeed and that instances of abuse, exploitation, and violence are properly addressed.  According to UN statistics, in 2018, it is expected that 12 million girls under the age of 18 will be married, and 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 years will become pregnant in developing regions. As a result, GirlCon has made the support of the UN’s Sustainable Goals a part of its core mission. Those goals prioritize the fight against the many adversities that hinder the right of women and girls to access education, training and even entry into the workforce. Of those 17 goals, GirlCon has put specific focus on the achievement of true gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls – particularly here in the Bahamas.

Kerel.jpg
Playwright, Author, and Storyteller Kerel Pinder is known across the country as the creative mind that furnished stage plays such as Sarah's Wedding, Keeping Up with Bougies, and most recently Star. She will share details about her successes and challenges as a young creative Millenial in the Bahamas. (Photos Courtesy of GirlCon)

Since gaining the right to vote some 56 year ago, Bahamian women have taken their active and influential place in the direction of The Bahamas, helping to set the course of The Bahamas through their demonstrations of strength, determination and innovation.

Women have also stepped up to become leaders in politics, education, business, technology and the arts. In celebration and honor of the triumphs of the women that came before, this year’s GirlCon conference will host approximately 300 young women from graduating classes across Grand Bahama Island, and a group representing the Ladies Chamber from New Providence to a day of inspiration and empowerment.

 GirlCon has enlisted renowned entertainer Angelique Sabrina, Playwright, Author and Storyteller Kerel Pinder as well as widely successful businesswomen and entrepreneurs Italia Williams-Wilson and Janette Martin-Isaacs to host a series of frank and open panel discussions on everything from their choices and challenges on the road to success in an effort to motivate the participating students and prepare them for the world outside the confines of their classroom.

Italia_Wilson_-_Headshot.jpg
Italia Wilson is a professional MUA and beauty consultant and entrepreneur. She owns and operates the wildly successful cosmetics store EyeCandy located in New Providence. She is one of four panelists who will participate in a series of frank and open panel discussions designed to motivate and inspire young women. (Photo courtesy of GirlCon)

“The women participating in this year’s panel join the scores of women in Bahamian history of who have made amazing contributions to the development of the country and we’re excited about the impact their stories will have on these future leaders” said GirlCon Founder Kay Forbes-Smith.

To execute the upcoming event, GirlCon has enlisted the assistance of Corporate Bahamas including IL Cares Foundation who has supported GirlCon from year one and is very committed to the organization; the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development; the Grand Bahama Port Authority; ALIV; Generali; NUA Bahamas First; Carnival; Equinor; PW ParrisWhittaker; EES; Focol; Sky Bahamas; Atlantic Medical; ZNS, and the Freeport News. Joining this list as this year’s title sponsor is GIBC, a global digital transformation facilitator who has supported local and global initiatives targeted toward the youth including SECME programs in the Bahamas.

3294.jpg
GirlCon Founder Kay Forbes-Smith addresses a packed audience to announce plans for the 2nd annual GirlCon conference slated for Grand Bahama Island on November 20. The event has been designed to motivate the participating students and prepare them for the world outside the confines of their classroom. (Photos Courtesy of GirlCon)

“GIBC believes that young girls and women will help to build our future, and we want to support the next generation of innovators” explained Managing Director of Strategy and Planning Stella Chin.

“We live and breathe the value of gender diversity in our organization. At GIBC, women represent 40% of our Bahamian workforce and globally, 34% of women hold leadership roles in our company” she said.

Following the conference, the GirlCon Organization expects to continue with its mentoring programs throughout the year in an effort to achieve its goals to inspire, motivate, empower, and advocate on the part of the next generation of female leaders.
ageliquewhite.jpg
Better Known by her stage name Angelique Sabrina, this young performer has blazed the trail in the performing arts releasing music and videos and appearing in popular advertising campaigns. She will participate in a series of open and frank discussions sharing her story with over 300 girls at the November 20 conferences. (Photos Courtesy of GirlCon)


3432.jpg
Members of the GirlCon committee which includes Senator Kay Forbes Smith, Veteran Educator Yvonne Ward and scores of other influential women pose for a group photo following a press conference to announce the upcoming GirlCon conference on November 20. (Photo courtesy of KeeniMedia)


Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2018 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Community
Latest Headlines
EARTHCARE Eco Kids join Dolphin Project for Global Beach Cleanup
Commercial Driver's Certification Services
Sorority Donates to Abuse Victims in Nassau, Grand Bahama
Breef kicks off donations of “Bahamas Underwater” books to over 300 schools in The Bahamas
University of The Bahamas Preparing for Largest Commencement Class Since Pandemic