By Assiatu A Jalloh
The gender rights community group, Illuminating Ladies was established via Whatsapp social media platform in 2013. The inspiration is from ILLUMINES SENSE Magazine founded by the CEO, May-Mary Duwai-Sowa. The www.illuminessencemag.com webpage based in Canada promotes fem-leadership, presents women’s issues and things that affect them. It also gives motivational stories.
The fire brand ladies have contributed in many women’s issues. These include - but are not limited to - donating to flood victims, donating to St George’s Children’s Home and the “We Are All Hannah” campaign. They also partner with other women’s organisation such as 50/50 group, Survivors Dream Project, Power Women 232 and many more.
The ladies think the effect of good work by the women of Sierra Leone should not lie still or unrecognised. They are bringing to the people a red carpet award event to be graced by different performance dish in classy and sassy grandeur as part of their International Women’s Week commemoration. The date is Saturday March 5th 2016 starting at 7pm at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel banquets hall. The theme of this awards ceremony is, “Shining a light on women”.
Many are yearning to attend this never-to-be-forgotten women’s night. Yes there will be INWA tickets on sale from SILVER: Le 250,000, GOLD: Le 500,000 and VIP by donation.
An Award means celebrating the achievement of people thriving in various careers, positions and strides. When it comes to acknowledging women and their progress different programmes and events have been directed and it goes beyond counting.
But to see young ladies coming together to celebrate other women is a different story altogether. Therefore the Illuminating Ladies thought it wise to present awards to inspire, to celebrate and to illuminate women in various categories, disciplines and class. These ladies who are in their early to late twenties, consider that as part of their mission in women empowerment. The aim is to enable young women to follow mentors and be motivated. Nominations were done through surveys and proper scrutiny by a reliable committee.
Voting is OPEN to the GENERAL PUBLIC from now till February 28th 2016. You can only vote once per category.
Text A, B or C to: 076 002 288 or 077 542 549 and indicate the number beside the category you are voting for. You can also Whatsapp your vote to the numbers, or call for further information and sale of tickets.
Make haste and save the date. As its time to print out, mix in and celebrate women of success.
Categories and Nominees:
1: Legacy of First Award
a) Major (Rtd) Kestoria Kabia
b) Isha Johansen
c) Christiana Thorpe
2: Legacy of Excellence Award
a) Dr Talabi Aisie Lucan
b) Dr. Nemata Majeks-walker
c) Mrs Kadija Bassi
3: Young Female Leader Award
a) Asma James
b) Yeniva Sisay-Sogbeh
c) Vickie Remoe
4: Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
a) Madam Lilian Lisk
b) Mrs Helen Keilie
c) Vickie Remoe
5: Political Leadership Award
a) Isata Kabia
b) Bernadette Lahai
c) Zainab Bangura
6: Professional excellence
a) Dr. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim
b) Dr. Nana Pratt
c) Zainab Bangura
7: Arts and Culture Award
a) Kitty Fadlu-Deen
b) Fanta Cee Wiz Camara
c) Hawa Bangura
8: Community Builder Award
a) Rugiatu Neneh Turay
b) Mary Y. Conteh
c) Fatou Wurie
9: Human Rights & Social Justice
a) Yasmin Jusu-sheriff
b) Simiti Lavalie
c) ASP Mira Koroma
10: Rural Development and Sustainability
a) Nancy Kanu - Barefoot Women
b) Peagie Woobay
c) Suffiatu Tunis
11: Youth Leadership
a) Fatou Wurie
b) Hon Mabinty Fornah
c) Josephine Kamara
12: Honorary "Guy Who Gets It" Award
a) Sheku Sillah
b) Mohamed Gibril
c) Chernor Bah
13: Illuminessense Award for Courage
a) Nanette Thomas
b) Mrs Junietta Ayodele Macauley
c) Dr. Sarah Bendu
Editors Note: This is a supplementary article and the author is one of the organisers.
(C) Politico 03/02/16
