10th Annual
Women of Great Esteem
Emerald Award Ceremony
Mar. 25th , 2006
Brooklyn Museum & Palm House, Brooklyn NY

The name of the organization, Women of Great Esteem, says it all. It was the night for ten women to be honored for their extraordinary achievement—achievements which would not have been possible had it not been for their extraordinary self esteem and belief in themselves.

In 1995, the Women of Great Esteem, a subsidiary of Q Kingdom Ministries, Inc, was established by the Rt. Reverend Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzales. It began with a vision to recognize the increasing contributions made by women who have excelled beyond normal expectations in a multi-cultural society. The award is a vehicle used for the empowerment of women, honoring them for their relentless efforts to nurture and serve their communities. In addition, the Women of Great Esteem organization honors women who 1. Develop and advance their communities without regard for race, color, religion, gender, age or national origin, 2. labor in an atmosphere that fosters trust, and 3. challenges their communities to appreciate diversity, to treat each other with dignity and respect. I can honestly state that each of the honorees certainly fits this profile.

The evening started with a wonderful,Ceremony which took place at the Brooklyn Museum,for the first time,the Women of Great Esteem, were originally held at the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations,and then moved to the United Nations Millennium Plaza Hotel.The Ceremony started of with the Honorary Chairperson,Hon.Yvonne Graham,Deputy Boro President,who too was a WGE,last year,after her remarks and Proclamation presentations,there was a procession of flags,with an international Flag salute,the Emerald Choir performed bringing the audience to their feet ,other entertainment that was provided by Carrie Nation and her band, a singer with a voice from heaven, who sang an assortment of gospel and other contemporary songs, delightfully entertaining the audience. and Ms. Sharon Gordon,and Blossom O’Malley –Nelson Co- Mistress of Ceremonies, greeted the crowd warmly.

Women of Great Esteem’s President Georgia Dunn introduced Rev. Sylvetta Hamilton-Gonzalez, the Founder of Women of Great Esteem, who gave a wonderful speech,

The Woman of Great Esteem Award is presented to a selective number of women throughout the world. The honorees are those who have worked diligently using their skills, talents and abilities for the benefit of humanity. As a Woman of Great Esteem, you are perceived as distinguished leaders, unique role models with profound convictions and commitments and are thereby placed in extremely high regard. Therefore, I take this opportunity to mandate that you, Woman of Great Esteem honorees, use the title in your everyday walk of life. The Woman of Great Esteem title speaks volumes of your strengths and exceptional contributions, It warrants personalization and ownership through constant use as a reminder of your struggle to fulfill your purpose and the audacity with which you have demonstrated your brilliance and intestinal fortitude.

The Woman of Great Esteem is a vehicle by which the world will know that you, as extraordinary women, have broken the bonds and restrictions of tender discrimination, racism and prejudice in our society. You have had to transcend the dark and dangerous dungeons of historical predetermination that yet have others convinced that they lack and are absent of inner strength. You have had to break through the bitter reality of the glass ceilings, diffuse the boardroom limitations, sever the political strangulations, remedy the corporate slaughters, minimize the madness of bureaucracy and contend with other acts of personal and societal injustices. These obstacles have merely been litany of proofs to your respective communities and the world that you are indeed agents for change. You are the women who have met the challenges of becoming CEO’s, Political Leaders, Professors, Doctors, Designers, Educators, Entrepreneurs, Lawyers, Bankers, Bishops and hold many other offices, too numerous to mention.

This was a wonderful event, with a most elegant dinner in a most beautiful setting at the Palm House. The keynote speaker was Hon.Dame Jennifer Smith. The following ladies were honored: Sen.Lorraine L.Berry, of US Virgin Islands,Hon. Marie Jocelyne Michel, Politician of US Virgin Islands, Hon. Paula Cox, JP, MP,of Bermuda, Louise S.Pyant, PHD, Education & Psychology of USA,Raji Reddy, Educator from India/USA, Helen Dorcas Foster, Education & Religion, Bermuda /USA, Hon. L. Maseko, MPL, Politics, South Africa, Bernadette L. Sheridan MD, USA, Jeanette D. HoSang , Business,Jamica/ USA, Hon.Dame Jennifer Smith,Politics & Art, Bermuda.

Other dignitaries on hand were Councilmembers Yvette Clark,Letitia James, and Helen Diane Foster.Senators Carl Daniels,and Kevin Parker.Representatives from NYC Comptrollers office, Celia C. Zuckerman, President and C.E.O. of the New York Congregational Community Service, Former Council Member Legendary Una Clark, Stacey from the Apprentice, D. Neletha Butterfield, Minister of the Environment for Bermuda and many many more to name.

We would like to thank The Right Rev. Sylvetta Hamilton-Gonzaloz and Garry Lithbourne for their kind invitation for us to come and cover this event. To learn more about the Women of Great Esteem Organization, please feel free to visit their website, at www.qkingdom.org












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