Three Vincentians honoured in New York

by Nelson King in New York 19.JAN.07

Three Outstanding Vincentians were honoured over the Christmas holidays by the New York Consulate General at its annual Christmas celebration and award ceremony.

Long-standing netball administrator and community activist Gailene Windsor, United Methodist Church pastor the Dr. Glyger Beache and New York City Councilman Dr. Kendall Stewart were recognised for their continued service to the Vincentian and Caribbean communities in New York.{{more}}

“I don’t have any problems here with Vincentian nationals, and I don’t foresee any problems until my departure, so I will continue to recognise Vincentians regardless of their political affiliation,” said Cosmus Cozier, the New York Consul General, in presenting the award to the honourees at the Consulate General in midtown Manhattan. The ceremony also served as the consulate’s annual Christmas Party.

Dr. Stewart, the brother of former New Democratic Party (NDP) Communications and Works Minister Glenford Stewart, was absent. But Joel Toney, a

former United Nations Ambassador, accepted the award on Stewart’s behalf.

“This is the first thing I’ve ever gotten, truly, from Vincentians for doing things for Vincentians, among Vincentians, so I am very honoured,” said Rev. Beache, who hails from Brighton, expressing surprise about the honour.

“I’ve got (awards) from clubs, political clubs, from congress, from the State Senate, a variety of things, but this, perhaps, means more to me,” added Rev. Beache, a colonel with the New York National Guard, who recently served in Iraq on active duty, as a chaplain with the U.S. Army.

“And when you come to my office in uptown Manhattan, you’ll see it (award) in a permanent place,” he continued.

Windsor, a former national netballer, who was recently elected vice-president for the United States Netball Association, also expressed surprise about the honour.

“I feel great to know that the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Consulate has thought of me and acknowledged the work I’ve been doing,” she told Searchlight after the ceremony.

“This will really put the finishing touches in working hard to bring back the (World Netball) trophy to the United States,” she added, pointing out the U.S. will again be participating in the global championship this year in either Australia or Jamaica.

The tournament was originally slated for Fiji, but was cancelled because of the recent military coup there.

Windsor is also president of the Clarendon, Cortelyou and Beverley Block Association in Brooklyn.

Cozier initiated the event in December 2002, a year after assuming office.