Arise and Blossom – Empowering women, transforming lives

The Arise and Blossom Women’s Organization successfully hosted the inaugural Arise and Blossom Conference on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at the Peace Memorial Hall from 5 p.m.

The event was the brainchild of Dr Arusha Campbell-Chambers and her mother Bishop Juliette Campbell, co-founders of the Arise and Blossom Women’s Organization, a platform for women to be encouraged and empowered to live their best lives.

The theme for the conference was “Empowering Women and Transforming Lives”. The Peace Memorial Hall, which was elegantly transformed by decorator Margaret Leacock, was filled to capacity, with over 270 women attending. The attendees were bubbling with enthusiasm as they were greeted by Rangers, who ushered them in and prepared them to “Arise and Blossom”. After registration, participants were treated to a welcome reception, catered by Chill’n Restaurant. They also visited the Arise and Blossom photo booth and viewed exhibitor booths on display by sponsors. Sponsors included Chill’n Restaurant, Dermatology Solutions, BDO, Caribbean Engineering and Design Consultants Ltd, Envision Graphics and Photography, SEARCHLIGHT, Choice Meats, Girl Guides Association, and Ignite Consulting and Oasis Spa.

The conference chairperson, Mandella Campbell, gave a warm welcome and encouraged women to put their worries behind them, relax and embrace this opportunity to focus on uplifting themselves, so they can be better equipped to care for others. Opening remarks were also given by Polly Oliver, the coordinator of the Gender Affairs Department, who commended the organizers and diverse group of presenters for embarking on stimulating creative discussions at the conference. She also noted that her Ministry was committed to women’s empowerment and to ending gender based violence in all forms.

The programme for the conference was packed with powerful presentations from a dynamic cast of Vincentian women from various backgrounds, specifically – the arts, business, the church, governance, health and law. Tamira Browne started the ball rolling, with a talk on “The role of female leaders in helping to shape today’s society”. She reminded the audience that true leadership is based on the number of lives touched, along with the difference they have made in their society. Dr Jacqueline James-Lyttle followed, sharing a step by step, ready-to-implement approach to “Transforming one’s business dreams into reality.”

The Chief Magistrate, Réchanne Browne, then spoke on, “Your legal rights as a woman”. She ended with a recipe for success in one’s endeavours. After an engaging discussion with the audience, the next speaker, Denise Grant, shared simple strategies for motherhood in modern society. She encouraged mothers not to be so hard on themselves and remember to make time take care of themselves as well. She challenged them to adopt the ‘Year of Yes’ to conquering their fears and achieving their dreams. She gave away a book, “Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes, to a lucky conference attendee.

Next, dermatologist Dr Arusha Campbell-Chambers encouraged the audience to love and take care of the skin they are in. She reminded them that they are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God and shared tips on the structure and function of the skin, skin care, dangers of skin bleaching and the signs of skin cancer. Finally, Bishop Juliette Campbell gave a stirring exhortation for women to arise from whatever state they are in, break all the chains holding them back and accomplish their dreams with God’s help. She affirmed that with God there are no limits and that they can use whatever they have to achieve their full potential.

“The conference organizers express thanks to God for an amazing conference, as well as to all who played a role in giving birth to this vision. The next event by the Arise and Blossom Women’s Organization will be an exciting and empowering “Dress for Success” event, which is slated for November 2017,” a release from the organizers said.