Nassau, Bahamas – RBC Royal Bank Bahamas are part sponsors of the production of “Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy”. The documentary tells the story of the Women’s Suffrage movement in The Bahama. It will serve as an engaging, informative medium through which students and the general public can learn about this important period in Bahamian history.

“Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy” is a documentary about the riveting story of the struggle for women’s right to vote in The Bahamas. The documentary is produced by Marion Bethel, who also directed the film along with Maria Govan. The documentary examines the Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas through particular focus on five of the central figures of the movement: Mary Ingraham, Mabel Walker, Eugenia Lockhart, Georgiana Symonette and Dame Dr. Doris Johnson. The documentary chronicles the Women’s Suffrage Movement through pictures and film footage, along with interviews with women who stood ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with the key figures in the campaign for women's suffrage.

A private screening of “Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy” will take place as part of National Women’s month. This special screening will be held to honor the struggle on its 50^th Anniversary. Women voted for the first time in The Bahamas on November 26^th, 1962. Their Excellencies Sir Arthur A. Foulkes, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas at Government House in collaboration with The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and the Bureau of Women’s Affairs.

“RBC is proud to have been a part of the production of this important documentary” said Mr. Nathaniel Beneby, Market Head, Personal Banking in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. Mr. Beneby continued: - “On behalf of RBC I would like to congratulate both the Producer and Directors of “Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy”. RBC is committed to supporting initiatives which contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities. We feel that this documentary is important in educating new generations of Bahamians about the Suffrage Movement.”

“Womanish Ways, Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy” will open to the general public next month at the 9^th Annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). The film will be shown on Friday, December 7^th at 1:30 p.m. at Galleria JFK Cinema Theatre 6. A second showing will take place on December 8^th, at 1:15 p.m. at Galleria JFK Cinema Theatre 2. The documentary will also be featured in Eleuthera at BIFF’s ‘The Best of the Fest Eleuthera’.

About RBC in The Bahamas

RBC Royal Bank has a longstanding presence in The Bahamas, with operations first established onNovember 2, 1908. Today, it boasts a retail network of 20 branches throughout New Providence and the Family Islands, a Commercial Banking Business Centre, and 50 automated banking machines.

RBC FINCO, established in 1953, is a leading provider of single-and multi-family home mortgages to Bahamians and attractive interest rates for its depositors. It has 5 branches, a mortgage center and 6 automated banking machines located in New Providence and Freeport. RBC FINCO is owned 25 percent by the general Bahamian public, representing approximately 4,000 shareholders, and 75 percent by its majority shareholder Royal Bank of Canada.