Event Overview: International Women’s Day 2024
International Women’s Day 2024 “Inspiring Inclusions”
Date: March 8th, 2024
Time: 6pm-11pm
Location: Eugenius Center, Windwardside Saba Dutch Caribbean
Organizers: Public Entity of Saba
Hosted By: Community Development & Culture Department
Event Coordinator: Cecilia Gonzalez CDC, Tedisha Gordon PH, Sharmina Jones CDC, Ramona Berkel CDC & Monique Wilson (ZJCN)
Purpose:
Celebrating International Women’s Day is a wonderful way to honor and appreciate the achievements and contributions of women in various fields.
As done in the past, a social gathering is organized in honor of all women residing on the island with an event hosted to cater to all women age 18+. During this event we recognize and appreciate the achievements of women in our community by presenting an award ceremony for outstanding women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, the organizing group has decided the selection will be made to women who meet the criteria in collaboration with the theme this year “Inspiring Inclusion”.
Audience:
All women 18+ residing in our community. In attendance was Ms Shomica Crowned Miss Mature 2023-2024 from St. Eustatius

Highlights:
– [Key highlights or memorable moments from the event]
– The ladies enjoyed the performance of the MC Delroy Sinclair as he sang a song for all ladies in the audience.
– [Notable achievements or milestones]
Attendance:
Total Attendees: 138
Guest Speaker: Michele Y. Brooks
ARUBA, DUTCH CARIBBEAN – Michele Y. Brooks is the Owner and Managing Director of Purposeful Journey Consulting Group VBA, a company she launched in 2011 with the vision to “inspire change in people and organizations”.
Brooks is a member of the worldwide organization, Toastmasters International, where she has served in leadership roles since 2017, at both club and Caribbean district levels.
A native of Aruba, Brooks was raised and educated in New York City, is a mother of two daughters and grandmother of two grandsons.
Her company’s mission is to “be passionate about making people authentically happy, and to do this by bringing meaning, purpose and positive contributions to their lives.”
Media Coverage:
The event was advertised via our Facebook page: Community Development & Culture Department and through GIS the Office of Communication and Public Relations of Public Entity of Saba. Flyers were placed throughout the villages and mass emails to different private owned organizations were sent.
Feedback:
Women in attendance mentioned it was one of the best women’s day they enjoyed in long time. It was very well organized. They enjoyed the guest speaker and her message. Everyone enjoyed the delicious snacks that were served at the event.
Next Steps:
Analyze the overview budget and event, see what can be done to better cater IWD 2025. Organize workshops, focus groups and information sessions all year round. Plan an International Men’s Day, which is scheduled for the month of November 19th, 2024.
Conclusion:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to each one of you for your participation, support, and enthusiasm. To our esteemed guests, speakers, and performers, thank you for sharing your time, talents, and invaluable insights with us. Your contributions have enriched our event. Also, our sponsors for their contribution that were used as prizes that were used in a raffle during the event namely: Satel N.V. and Winair The catering company VEN catering for their services. ICS for their services of printing the posters and sending out a mass email throughout the island. TY Gifts SXM for the wards. DJ Slim for providing music entertainment.
SPEECH WOMANS DAY
Good evening ladies, gentlemen, and everyone who joins us today for this special event on Saba, in honor of International Women’s Day.
Today, I stand before you not just as a speaker but as a fellow participant in the incredible journey that we, as women, are on—a journey of empowerment, self-discovery, and, most importantly, belief in ourselves.
As a little girl, I spent my vacations on this beautiful island, where nature is not only breathtaking but also educational. I remember a specific moment with my cousin, who had a fascination with lizards. For him, a source of amusement; for me, a source of fear. One day, in his attempt to tease me, he showed me the divided remains of a lizard. An awful sight, but one that taught me an unexpected lesson. Even split in two, it seemed like both halves continued to move, to live. This moment, strange as it may seem, highlighted a fundamental truth: even when faced with seemingly tremendous setbacks, we can continue, adapt, and survive.
In the natural world, the lizard is a remarkable creature, known for its unique survival mechanism: the ability to shed its tail when in danger. This phenomenon, known as autotomy, serves as a distraction to mislead predators, allowing the lizard to escape and live another day. However, the loss of a tail is not the end for the lizard. On the contrary, it marks the beginning of a recovery process. The blood quickly clots to prevent loss, and over time, the tail can regrow. This ability to regenerate symbolizes resilience and renewal.
These characteristics of the lizard reflect the harsh reality of many women who are victims of domestic violence. These women, like the lizard, experience moments of immense danger and trauma. Every attack, every incident of violence, leaves deep wounds, both physical and emotional. But just as the lizard does not bleed to death but begins to heal, these women too start to heal their wounds, drawn by a deep, inner strength and the will to survive and move forward.
The process of healing and recovery in female victims of domestic violence is both painful and powerful. It requires immense courage to pick up the pieces of a shattered life and carve a new path forward. Just as the lizard grows a new tail over time, these women can discover and develop new facets of themselves. They learn from their experiences, grow in strength, and often become advocates for change, both in their own lives and in the community.
The regeneration of the lizard’s tail is a metaphor for the resilience and capacity for recovery of women who have survived domestic violence. It reminds us that, though scars may remain, the ability to heal and renew is a powerful testament to the human spirit. It also emphasizes the importance of support and compassion from the community to create an environment where recovery and growth can occur.
This lesson has become one of the cornerstone of my philosophy: the belief in oneself is paramount. Across our lives, we find comfort and guidance in various beliefs, whether they be spiritual, intellectual, or personal. Yet, the conviction in our own inner strength stands unparalleled. I am no goddess, but within me, I have found an unyielding source of power and positivity. I have learned to embrace the positive and to release the negative, allowing my beliefs to guide me to my purpose.
Announcing my move to Saba was met with skepticism. “What will you do there?” many asked. Yet, my belief in my path and in the positivity it promised has brought me here today, surrounded by a community of vibrant, powerful women.
We live in times of challenge and opportunity for women. Our era demands that we embrace our complex identities with pride and recognize that our femininity enriches rather than confines us.
We all know the proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Building on that, I assert, “It takes a woman to raise villages, towns, and islands like Saba.” Without us, there would be no sense of community, no fabric of society weaving us together. We, as women, have the extraordinary ability to create, inspire, and transform not just our immediate surroundings but the world at large.
Our independence, resilience, and strength are our most significant assets. As women, we possess the power to shape our destinies and those of the communities we touch. Always remember the impact of positive thinking—it’s a force that, much like karma, returns to us manifold, fueling our journey forward.
Believe in yourself, but let’s not forget the strength found in believing in our community. Our collective advancement hinges on our shared belief and mutual support.
Let’s remind ourselves tonight, and every day, that standing up for ourselves is the best thing we can do. We should not wait for permission to speak, act, or dream. The power of belief is in doing. Let not fear be an advisor. We are here, now, on this unforgettable evening, not just to celebrate what was, but to inspire what can be.
This is your day. A day to live, to dream, and simply to be. Without you, this day, and all its possibilities, would not exist. Let’s make this evening unforgettable, not just for ourselves but for all the women who come after us.
Let us stand in our power, today, tomorrow, and forever. Thank you.