Women’s conference labelled informative and memorable

Eighty women last weekend had the opportunity to experience the first ever, First Citizens Investment Services Women’s Conference to be held in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The conference, which was held on Saturday at the Buccament Bay Resort, offered a packed schedule with interactive sessions and captivating speakers.

Carole Eleuthere-Jn Marie, regional manager for the Eastern Caribbean and Barbados at First Citizens Investment Services, gave a fascinating presentation on being financially fit.

“Are you controlling your money, or is your money controlling you?” the regional manager asked.

Eleuthere-Jn Marie observed that if an individual were to save $1,000 every month, beginning at age 20, they would have saved one million dollars by the age of 43.

The regional manager urged participants to take financial responsibility seriously and be conscious of how they spend their money.

“Just like you are aggressive about losing weight, be just as aggressive for your game plan for your finances,” she said.

After lunch, the women were exposed to a basic self-defense session, in which they were taught to SING – solar plexus, instep, nose and groin.

Alicia Alberts, who holds a black belt in karate, explained to the attentive participants that they should attack these parts of their assailant’s body, as it will do some damage.

“You don’t have to be an athlete…think of the things all of us have that will be painful,” the instructor said.

She also cautioned the women that they should always be aware of their surroundings and not to think of themselves as the lesser sex.

“Be the person who looks like you’re aware of your target,” Alberts said.

“Let go of your fear of being injured. Hit, hit hard, move your body purposefully and yell.”

Another memorable presentation came from an animated Sylvia Gould, who was able to fill the hall with laughter for most of her session.

The consultant and trainer of Abundant Life Training and Consultancy Services went through concepts that foster health, physically, mentally and emotionally, as well as factors that hinder a healthy lifestyle in women.

Women who attended the conference were in high praise of the all-day event.

Fashion designer Kimya Glasgow expressed satisfaction in attending the conference and was most happy with the “positive energy in the room and getting women to understand that we are all connected and we all have a role to play to support each other for our own betterment and the betterment of others.”

Likewise, attorney at law Patina Knights thought that the conference was well done and was sorry that more women could not have shared in the experience.

“It was very informative in terms of our financial fitness. It gave a lot of very useful information. I implore more women to attend the next one,” Knights said.

“The speakers! I can’t say enough about them. They interacted well with the crowd…they made sure they got their point across which was very, very good. It was a well spent day and I’m glad I came and enjoyed it”.

Other speakers at the event included country manager for First Citizens Investment Services Norlan Gabriel; Deputy chief executive officer of the First Citizens group, Sharon Christopher; managing director of Metrocint General Insurance Company Limited and barrister-at-law Desiree Richards; and attorney at law and former Minister of Culture, Rene Baptiste.(BK)