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In todays world one thing is certain; women are moreempowered. We have more options and choices; we achieveacademic height, we build careers, realize our dreams andexercise our rights in a world that is awakening to equality

- and on top o it all, we remain proud in our roles as mothers,daughters, sisters and caregivers.

Tis is what we envision in working with LadyMagazine. Like

a mother with child, the process has been challenging, but theconcept is as great and the team working toward achieving thisgoal has been phenomenal.

In this inaugural issue we dig deep into some social issues andthe experiences o some women. We also highlight how NGOsand Government agencies assist in some o the social issues.However, the overall strength o women can be seen as theirdesires or success and, in some cases, survival comes to theore. We also look at the lighter side o health, ashion, ood andbeauty, which we believe, contributes toward shaping a lady.

Our company is honored to have given birth to a Lady, the first

o its kind in Guyana and the Caribbean. Te stories o manywomen will remain untold unless we, as a people can do thework that this magazine exemplifies. I the stories o our lie andour experiences are not expressed and shared then our childrenwill not learn how to ace the challenges in lie.

Inspire Inc., in everything it does looks towards building ourcountry and inspire our people, especially our mothers, sistersand daughters. We hope you all in love with Ladyand we lookorward to your support as we continue to grow.

Enjoy,

Anita BalramPublisher

Ladymore than just a Woman!

From the Publisher

June 2014 ||| Lady/ 1

Lady -more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

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ContentsLady -more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

EDITORS NOTE

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Ladies of Inspire Inc.

Doris Ann Lewis 1

Partricia Bacchus 1

Fine Dining with Carolyn Rahaman 3

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FASHION

Fashion oh no! 2

Shaping the Lady 4

Renee Thompson - The Business of Beauty 4

Stress and its Effects on a Woman's Health 5

Size Does Matter! 5

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Nuriyyih Gerrard 2

Alisha Fortune 3


3007

40

40

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ContentsLady -more than just a Woman! - Issue # 1

ACADEMIA

The Valedictorians 27

THE WOMAN PRINT

Four Sets of Twins 18

Mothers in Black 30GUYWID 50

The Spirit of a Fighter 53

POLITICS

Gail Teixeira 40

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFULMARRIAGE 42

HER OPINION

The Idea of Parenting Alone 48

RECIPE 60

53

50

33

37

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Published by

Inspire Inc.62 Area Q, urkeyen, E.C.D,

Guyana, South America

Project ManagerAdrian Pryce

Editorivia Collins

Creative Director / Design & LayoutMensah Fox

Advertising SalesAdrian Pryce / Malinda eixeira

Amrita Mangal / Lisa Mclean

Editorial ContributionFeliz Robertson / Mosa elord

Sherod Duncan / Keisha EdwardsJairo Rodrigues / Monique SpringerSchemel Patrick / Antonio Devonish

Neketa Forde / Rishon Seegopaul-Rambarranivia Collins

PhotographyPhillip Williams / Ulelli Verbeke

Arian Browne / Azikiwe Denheartroy Parboo / Keron Bruce

Stabroek News

On the CoverNazalena Natasha Houston & Patricia Bacchus

Cover PhotographyPhillip Williams / roy Parboo

All materials contained in this publication areprotected by copyright law and may not be

reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayedor published without the prior written

permission o Inspire Inc. or in the case othird party materials, the owner o that content.

You may not alter or remove any trademark,copyright or other notice rom copies

o the content.Copyright 2014 Inspire Inc.

June 2014 ||| Lady/ 4



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Lady

WelcomeL

ady has been nothing short o an absolutelyamazing experience. As the name suggests,Lady celebrates the accomplishments oGuyanese women while highlighting the

challenges aced in a world where gender inequalitiesare still prevalent. Each story told represents hopeand perseverance, as it signals the undying strengtho the spirit o the woman.

Tis inaugural issue ocuses on the women whoconquer: articles on Nazalena Natasha Houston

and Patricia Bacchus shed light on the importanceo determination and courage when dealing with

lies situations, while articles eaturing GUYWIDand Mothers in Black enorce the universal themes o

heroism and empowerment.

Tis issue also highlights women such as Gail eixeira, Doris Lewisand Carolyn Rahaman who have annihilated the glass ceilings in theirrespective fields.

I hope the stories encourage and inspire you to be greater than youcurrently can imagine.

We would appreciate your eedback on the content o the magazine. Pleaseeel ree to share with us as we work towards establishing Lady as thepremier womens magazine in Guyana.

Tivia CollinsEditor

June 2014 ||| Lady/ 5


more than just a Woman!

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The team brings together awealth o experience not onlyas proessionals, but as parents,daughters, sisters, riends and

ladies. Teirs is the reality o what it takesto live the Guyanese dream. It is theirworld and each day they wake up andengage it, trying to make it a bit better thanit was the day beore.

Ladies of Inspire Inc.

Malinda eixeira gave up business as arestaurateur in the twin island Republico rinidad and obago, and as a gamesarcade entrepreneur in Grove on the EastBank, to take on the ull-time challengewith Inspire Inc.

Amrita Mangal with a background in salesand marketing she readily admits thatwhen Inspires Business Manager, Adrian

Lall, came knocking at her door to be parto the new company she was a bit hesitantbut has not regretted a day since.

ypical days starts at 9:00am and go until4:30pm unless there is a special project on,then the hours get crazy. Tis is the workthey live or.

Projects at Inspire include advertising,

By Sherod Duncan

Inspire Ladies: L-R - Malinda eixeira, Anita Balram & Amrita Mangal

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media planning and buying, salespromotions, public relations, interactivemarketing, and social business strategies

or companies in Guyana, the Caribbeanand North America. Tese ladies not onlytarget large businesses but they standby Inspire Inc.s mandate to help smallbusiness reach their ull market potential.Tis type o job can be demanding.

Amrita says its not tough balancingamily and work. I I have to run out,when I come back the work gets done. Inaddition to work she is on hand to takecare o her fifeen year-old brother sinceher parents, who manage a business in the

interior, are ofen away.

Malinda is engaged. Her son, Dante,is nine. She muses on the hardship ogrowing up and wanting a very differentlie or him. I have the battle everydayo going home and helping with his

homework and assignments; getting himset or school or the next day.She hopesthat when Dante is older he is able to lookback and see that he was given the bestrom what was available.

Do not, however, take anything orgranted: as dedicated as the ladies are toamily, they are consummate in the area o

their expertise. Tey each eel that nothingis given to them reely because o theirgender but they quickly add it is definitelyan asset being a woman.

When you are going to the executive o a

company or a CEO, everyone wants to seea beautiul ace walking through the door.

Tats ok, but it should not be just a acebut beauty and brains. Tey must meetsomeone intellectual who is able to carry

on a conversation and be able, at theend o it, to sell what you have, Malinda

noted.

Amrita intoned, Men tend to get rightdown to business, women desire to knowthe brand beore a common business

ground can be established.

Tese ladies are beginning to have asell you everything reputation in thebusiness arena: rom radio and televisioncommercials to event promotions, romclassified advertisements in the newspaper

to a ront cover o a magazine, they will getthe job done.

Te office has its tense moments. Tereare clashes over ideas but they soon finda solution. At the office, the saying, Te

journey is the destination rings throughthe air serving as a learning experience orall.

For them being a Lady speaks to a womano poise, one who is comortable in herown skin while acknowledging that thereis a time and place or everything.

As they put it:

A woman knows hersel very well anda Lady can pretty much embrace any

situation. She is comortable being whoshe is without thinking she has to tweak orchange anything about hersel. A lady is

someone with so much strength; so muchresiliency, filled with so much passion,

poise, excitement and lie. Everythingabout us is beautiul and should be

celebrated. Being a lady is the essence obeing.

Malinda eixeira & Amrita Mangal


Hair done by:Kavita's Signature Cutand Spa

Makeup done by:

Renee Thompson

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Mother, grandmother,

great grandmother,

Catholic,

businesswoman and

volunteer; a warm

and loving individual,are all elements that

describe Mrs. Doris

Ann Lewis.

Doris Ann Lewis

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Born Doris Jagdharry onDecember 8, 1946 in Rose Hallown, Berbice, she grew up as aGeorgetown girl since her parents

moved to Alberttown when she was aboutfive years old. Tough she had a sister,Doris grew like an only child since hersister grew up with the grandparents.

In Alberttown, the amily established agrocery store. Doris ondly recalls herather taking her back to Berbice everyyear when school was out so that shewould know her relatives who remained inthe Ancient County.

Her schooling took place at ChristChurch Primary and Secondary Schools,Oriental College and Youngs BusinessSchool all in Georgetown. In her twentiesshe flew to Ontario, Canada to pursuestudies in Business Administration atWells Business Academy, but because oamily commitments she only stayed a ewmonths.

The Brand of Success

Love blossomed or Doris just next doorto where she lived. Tat love provedworthwhile and lasting as Doris andVictor Lewis tied the knot in 1968. For herwedding Doris recalled that she wore ahand-made dress which she proudly woreor the simple ceremony at St. TeresasChurch.

Te marriage produced five boys and twogirls - George, Dionne, Andrew, John,Joel, Joseph and Crystal. Te experience ohaving seven children had its challenges,but through tears, endurance, vision, andaith in God, Doris and Victor succeededin raising their children to be admirablemembers o society. oday her children aresuccessul businessmen and women. Sheis not only proud o their success, but alsothat they ollowed in her ootsteps, wherereligion is concerned.

Tough her ather was a Wesleyan andher mother a non-practicing Hindu,Doris ollowed her own religious path.

She recalls the incident that led her toseek the knowledge o the Bible. Whena customer called at the amily shop inAlberttown one day or kerosene oil, shewas untruthul when she said they did nothave any because it was not something thatshe liked to sell. Her ather, upon learningo the incident, was upset and decided topunish her by destroying all the comicbooks she loved to read. Te only book lefwas the Bible and she began searching thepages. Te more she read, the more sheelt like she needed to belong and so shestarted attending Sacred Heart Church.Doris became a dedicated Catholic andeven once considered becoming a nun.Tat was not her destiny however, but heraith in Christ never altered and in 1979she and her husband became lay ministers

Te bond between Doris and Victor isan example or others. She has never lefher marital home. Any disagreementwas quickly resolved as they both lookedout or what was best or their amily.

By Mosa Mathia elord


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She advises everyone to be like Jesus compassionate and loving. Marriage,she says goes through stages and it caneventually grow into a mature love.

She is not oblivious to the act that allmarriages are not successul. She urtheradvises young women that when inrelationships they should look or earlysigns o issues such as violence. Somepeople will change but in many cases theabusive man or woman will not change.Listen to parents, riends and guardianswho may notice what you cannot see.

oday Doris is a successul businesswomaneven though it was not what sheenvisioned when she was younger. It wasthe birth o her ourth child that motivatedher to become an entrepreneur as sherealised that she and her husband neededto do more to create a bright uture ortheir children.

Tey initially started with a Gas Station,then ventured into Mining but these didnot last very long. Tey started the RegentMotor Spares in 1981 which lasted or10 years afer which Te Gif Centre wasborn in 1991. Te business started with a

little over GYD$30,000 afer which theyinvested everything rom the sale o assetsrom the earlier Mining venture.

Being in business or over thirty years is

indeed impressive. Doris noted,One hasto make the money work or them. You do

not spend the money you make but payyoursel a salary and live with it.

Afer years o determination andendurance, Doris is the CEO o Te GifCentre and Shoe Source and she eels asense o accomplishment to be able tohand over the businesses to her children.

Tere is no doubt that Mrs. Lewis is aremarkable woman. Her kindness extendsto being involved in organizations suchas St. Josephs Mercys Hospital Auxiliary(o which she is a past president), RadiosNeedy Fund and the Guyana RelieCouncil.

She has made contributions to the health,sport and education sectors through the

various initiatives o Te Gif Centre andShoe Source which now partners with a USbased charity, Scholarship or AdvancedGuyanese Education (SAGE), or an

annual scholarship or the University oGuyana.

Her involvement in these organizationsbrought awards such as:

RNCF A Salute to Mothers GRC Commitment and Constant

Support International Year o Volunteers

Outstanding Volunteer Service GCCI Long & Selfless dedication to

social relie causes Rotary Club o Georgetown

Vocational Excellence and HighEthical Standards in Business.

With a husband who has loved and builta lie with her or over orty years, sevenremarkable children, ten grandchildrenand three great grandchildren, Mrs.Lewis has a lie that is ull o joy, success,generosity and satisaction.

Mrs. Lewis is an example o determinationand perseverance a woman o substancewho believes that ellow women canempower themselves through educationand their aith in God.


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Patricia BacchusCorporate Standards of a LadyBy Jairo Rodrigues

Awomans role in business,economic and socialdevelopment, is no different orno less important than a mans

role. Actually, Im almost compelled to saythat with their attention to intricate detailsand their natural persona as care-givers,women can bring additional valuable

qualities to the table.

We must be cognizant however, that if aswomen we desire equality, if we hungerfor upward mobility, then we must beable to equally give of our time andenergy. We must not expect to be treatedpreferentially in the same manner that wewould not wish to be treated unfairly. Thisis not to suggest that women who haveimportant roles in business and economicdevelopment are precluded from havingchildren and a family, it simply means thata tighter management of the days twenty-four hours becomes critically importantso as to ensure that neither work norfamily commitments pose constraintsfor each other. - Patricia Bacchus on therole of women in business, the economicdevelopment of Guyana and the socialenvironment

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Patricia Bacchus is a woman, no a Ladyo business with a lot on her plate; andat the age o thirty-one she has to be oneo the youngest proessionals in Guyana

with no intentions o slowing down:her ambitious spirit and her strengthwill only elevate her. She currentlyserves the multiple senior roles o ChieOperating Officer, Executive Director oAdministration and Company Secretaryor Caribbean Containers Incorporated(CCI).

Her other portolios past and presentinclude Director on the Guyana GoldBoard, member o the Protected AreasCommission Board, Part ime Lecturer oLaw at the University o Guyana (UG) andCouncillor at the Georgetown Chamber oCommerce and Industry (GCCI). Notablyshe was the recipient o the GCCI YoungBusiness Executive Award in 2012.

Her success today can only be accreditedto determination, her strength andendurance and her passion or excellenceand efficiency, all rom the oundations oa humble beginning.

She was born in East Berbice-Corentyneon the 1st March, 1983. She gainedPrimary education at the Saint TeresasPrimary School then proceeded to the

New Amsterdam Multilateral School orSecondary Education.

She attended Presidents College andPatricia Bacchus then spread her wings toUG where she graduated with a BachelorsDegree in Law (LLB) in 2004. She receivedseveral awards including the Pro-Chancellors Medal or Best GraduatingLaw Student, Anne Blue MemorialScholarship or Most Outstanding SecondYear Law Student, Cavendish Book Prizeor Most Outstanding First Year LawStudent and the Proessor R.W. JamesPrize or Most Outstanding Perormancein the Law o Real Property I and II.

Following UG she completed her studiesat Hugh Wooding Law School where shewas awarded a Legal Education Certificate,a Certificate o Merit, the Governmento Guyana Prize or Most OutstandingGuyanese Law Graduate, the Councilo Legal Education Prize or the MostOutstanding First Year Student, the Book

Specialist Prize or Most Outstanding LawStudent, the M.H. Shaw Memorial Awardor Best Perormance in Legal Drafingand the Lex Caribbean Prize or Client

Interviewing and Advocacy.

Afer completing her law education at theage o 23, Patricia was offered a short termlegal consultancy which she accepted.

Patricia is sel-motivated and continuesto be effective and enjoys success in herendeavours. We wanted to know howshe thinks the business sector can bedeveloped. She expressed that Guyana

I felt thrown to the sharks, butthe prospects of foreclosure,loss of over one hundredand forty jobs at that time,and unlikely returns toshareholders, gave me andeveryone involved, the will topersevere, work fourteen hoursa day, and successfully meet thestipulated deadline for closureof the deal she reflected.


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has great potential which requiresimprovements in areas such as institutionalreorm, human capital, inrastructuraldevelopment and renewable energy at acheap cost.

When asked or her thoughts on the roleo women in business, the economicdevelopment o Guyana and the social

environment Patricia said that a womansrole in business is no different or no lessimportant than a mans role. Actually, Imalmost compelled to say that with theirattention to intricate details and their

natural persona as care-givers, womencan bring additional valuable qualities to

the table.

Patricia does not consider that her greatestaccomplishment is based on her genderbut rather the advances she has been ableto make in her proessional lie over a

relatively short period o time. Bacchuscharged women to not consider themselvesto be at a disadvantage on the basis o ageor gender. Tis preconceived notion canimpair your ability to realize your ullpotentialshe said, Enter the world owork with confidence and enthusiasm

knowing that you deserve to be there

based on the merits o your ability, just

like any other proessional.

She supports that women should givegenerously o their time and effort so thatthey can be effective in their endeavours,Remember there will always be obstacles

let those obstacles challenge you to be

more aggressive, more determined sheexpressed.

It is easy to see why this lady hasaccomplished so much at her age. PatriciaBacchus is not only an inspiration towomen, but a guiding light to everyonewho aspires or excellence and are workingto accomplish their goals.

Lady -more than just a Woman! - Issue #

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Four sets of twins!The Bridget Maria StoryBy Neketa Forde


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Dressed in body hugging jeans,t-shirt, and a pair o slip-onboots, she sits on a bench towatch her stall on Camp and

Regent Streets. What sets her apart romother vendors is her experience withhaving her children exploited by supposedwell-wishers. Bridget has sacrificed a loverand all chances or an ordinary lie or

the sake o her children.

Bridget is thankul or all o the supportshe and her children have received overthe years but insists that she is not richnor is she a beggar. Bridget started out likeany other country girl and she dreamt o ahome filled with laughter and a lover whowould have many children with her. Sheeventually settled down and had one childand our sets o twins, with the man o herdreams. Soon afer reality hit home.their ather decides that I needed to

make a decision between him and thechildren. I sent him awaykept thechildren,she confided as she shifedposition on the bench.

A young nave Bridget began living off thesupport o others, mostly support providedby Non- Governmental Organisations{NGOs}. It was great in the beginninghaving so many people paying attention toher situation, but as the years progressedthe novelty o nine children so close inage began to dwindle. Compassion and

concern were replaced by well-meaningadoptions, photo ops and rationed aid.

Strangers have come rom all walks o

lie to collect two, two [o my children],some rom the States and England, her

voice trailed off, and then picked upLike they are puppies and they can doa better job than me when it comes to

taking care o my children.Bridget ocourse reused on numerous occasions andinstead requested that they provide themoney to assist in raising her children. No

such unds were orthcoming.

Local NGOs would have brought potentialadoptive parents to Bridgets home. Sheurther alleges that some o the sameorganisations would circulate photos oBridget and her children to raise moneyon their behal. So when persons areunder the impression that the donationswere given to me they were not,arustrated Bridget stated. She outlinedan incident where, a riend discovered alocal website, popular with re-migrants,

hosting a photo o Bridget and her amilyand asking or donations to support saidamily. Subsequently, Bridget decidedto investigate or hersel. Incidentally,someone rom the same organisation hadpreviously interviewed her. Te individualsteadastly denied their involvement withthe scheme and the next time Bridgetsriend checked the website the ad wasremoved.

For little over a decade Bridget has beenwalking the streets o Georgetown selling

an array o items including undergarmentsand floral arrangements. She has evenworked five jobs simultaneously, until

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settling into her new stall just outsideGalaxy Photo Studio on Camp Street.She has effectively turned her woundsinto wisdom. I cut it all out completely,

no more [photos] and [afer that I wentinto business or mysel],she orcedlystated. She guards her children like alioness guarding her cubs. [Many] peoplecome or an interview with her and [they

usually report the wrong things], so sheis admittedly skeptical, Sister Vinniesitting on the same bench interjects. Sheis Bridgets best riend; they have beenriends or more than two decades.

Bridget works six days a week and wakesat 3am every morning to start preparing

or the business day ahead o her. Shecooks breakast or her children and newhusband beore she leaves or work. By6:30am, she is out ready to sell whateverher stall can carry, whether it is sofdrinks, snacks or belts. As a newcomerto the vendors scene, Bridget has hadher difficulties, especially with policeconstables, but she never let that distracther rom earning a living.

Tere is an unseen benefit to every story. A

constable heard about Bridget in the newsand decided to help, when he saw me onthe news, he told his subordinate no oneharass me. Tat is how I end up getting

peace on the road.

Tough working in the capital city can bescary sometimes, her customers provideher a measure o comort, somethingoolish takes place every day, she laughs,I dont only sellits like i I am a

teacher, she stops speaking abruptlyto address a customer, then continues, it

is like I have to counsel them, give thema word o advicesometimes I share my

own experience with them.

For Bridget sharing ones lie story isimportant because it helps others tounderstand that they are not alone. Shehopes to one day pen her autobiography toenlighten and encourage others. Everyonehas problems, so maybe i they hear onemore difficult than their own then they

will be motivated to move on and dobetter.


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Have you ever been out, datenight, party scene or even ina grocery aisle, and have thatinamous Oh No! moment?

As a designer I have witnessed womencommit several ashion crimes. I have alsoobserved tragic get-ups by women whoclaim to not be interested or are interestedin the ashion world. However, it doesnot matter which side o the ashion line

you all; once you wear clothing there arealways considerations. Let us, thereore,take time to know common ashionerrors and pledge to correct our mistakes,avoiding the painul Oh No.

5. Wearingclothes that

are notyour

size!- oomany

womenareguilty owearingclothing thatclearly are toosmall or too tight.Lets avoid thoselove

handles rom riding over the (too) tightjeans by making a special effort to knowwhat compliments your body shape andsize.

4. Visible panty lines! - :( :( Need I saymore?

3. Too much skin!- A little skin is sexybut too much skin makes you appeartrashy (unless thats the look you are

striving to achieve). Always rememberthe golden rule to avoid this ashionconundrum: I you are showing flesh uptop, cover the flesh at the bottom, and vice

versa.

2. Incorrect Bra size!- Wearing a bra thatdoes not give the right amount o lif and

support can make you look old and canmake your breasts sag. Tis takes

Fashion Oh-No!Advice from Shasha Designs


away rom the overall appearance o youroutfit. Having a perectly fitted bra canmake you seem slender and shapely. akeyour time when buying bras, paying keenattention to your bust/cup and band ratio,something every woman should know.

1. All trends cannot be worn by

everyone! While Fashion is a orm oexpression, you should realise that all cutsand lengths are not universally suited.Practicality proves that all trends cannotbe worn by everyone.

ShaSha Designs is owned by KeishaEdwards, the principal designer at theCompany.

Email: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/

shashadesigns

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Nuriyyih Gerrard

I believe the essence

of what it means tobe a lady lies in thedefinition of the word

virtue.

Personality Interview

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N

uriyyih Gerrard has become one o the most popularradio announcers in Guyana and currently she co-hosts the morning show Jumpstart on 94.1 BoomFM. With a recognisable laugh, soothing voice and

warm personality Nuriyyih is definitely changing the game onradio one show at a time.

Age:22

School: I currently attend the University o Guyana

Hobbies: Acting, Dancing, Exploring social media, Singing,browsing the internet and I love Reading

Favourite saying:In the ace o trials, temporary ailures oremotional lows I repeat my personal mantra: I can do all thingsthrough Christ who strengthens me.

Pet peeve: My name identifies who I am. It is Arabic. It hassignificant meaning and it is my most valuable asset, so it alwaysbothers me when people neglect to take interest in learning itscorrect spelling and pronunciation.

Number one song on your playlist:Omigosh! Hope by EmeliSande is number one on my playlist! Te song is a great source omotivation or me and it keeps me driven to achieve my goals, asinfinite as they are!

Where do you see yourself in ten years: In 10 years I wouldhave acquired a Degree in Public Communications rom

the University o Guyana and begin to pursue a Degree inPsychology. I hope to eventually practice Positive Psychology,which is the study o the strengths and virtues that enableindividuals and communities to thrive. I strongly believe thatthis career path would assist me in achieving my ultimate goal oinspiring real change in the lives o Guyanese.

What does being a lady mean to you: I believe the essenceo what it means to be a lady lies in the definition o the wordvirtue. Being a lady also means being a conscientious emalecitizen who possesses high standards, is respected and onewho has been able to find the ever important balance betweenhumility and confidence.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be:I it were up to me poverty at every level would cease to exist.Te late Nelson Mandela said, Poverty is unnecessary. It is likepaying or a crime you did not commit.

I am: araid o ailing. (I recently discovered the big word orthat is atychiphobia). I constantly have to remind mysel that,God has not given me a spirit o ear but o love, power and asound mind, so, or the sake o achieving my goals I strive topush past my ear o ailure and always be optimistic about new

journeys.

Radio host on HJ94.1 Boom FM

I constantly have to remindmyself that, God has not givenme a spirit of fear but of love,power and a sound mind,


Scene rom "Shattered Dreams",staged 2014 at the NationalCultural Centre

National Stadium, February 2014

In Studio

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The ValedictoriansYou educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman;

you educate a generation. - Brigham Young

By Sherod Duncan

Loria-Mae Heywood Vineeta PersaudEileen Marray

Valedictorians at the Universityo Guyana (UG) have separatedthemselves rom their peers,working consistently at a high

level with little margin or errors as aras the Grade Point Average (GPA) isconcerned. Four years o dedication tostudies at UG is no small eat.

Te academic rosters are ootnoted withstudents who have started the journey butdid not complete it, so, graduations are to

be celebrated and recognized or what theyare a testament to hard work, discipline,and a little un in between. o graduate topo the honour roll is to breathe even rarerair.

Since 1967 fifeen women have graduatedas valedictorians rom the University oGuyana (UG). It is a small, academicallyelite group. Loria-Mae Heywood, VineetaPersaud and Eileen Marray are the mostrecent members.

Tey are contemporary ladies, yet, ivaledictorian is a typology there is acertain quietude, almost reclusiveness,individually. Tey were students first,with routine days: lectures to attend, newpeople to meet, riends to hang out with,clubs to join; a myriad o things to do atthe University. It would seem as i beinghonoured valedictorian could be anythingthat happens in a usual day in each o theirlives.

Loria-Mae Heywood graduated romthe University o Guyana in 2009 aferreading or a degree in InternationalRelations. Tat same year she madenational headlines when she could notfind employment. It was a moment in herlie which she looks back on and thinks,Tings worked out or the best in the end,and at the right time.

Vineeta Persaud graduated with a degreein Computer Science and reflects on 2011

as a culmination o all the hard work andeffort she put into studies, and all thesupport she received rom those close toher. I had more than accomplished whatI had originally set out to do, and I wasimmensely happy and proud o what I

achieved. I was beyond thrilled when Ireceived the news,she said.

Eileen Marrays work ethic to the end o2013 was a way o keeping up with herolder sisters who always did well. Her

older sister had topped New AmsterdamMultilateral High School where they allattended. Her other sister got second placeso expectations were always high.

Tis was something Heywood identifieswith. She grew up in a relatively largeamily: her parents and six siblings; sheconessed not doing as well as her othersiblings at Queen College, her alma mater,and wanting to make her mark on enteringUniversity.


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Persaud shared her experience, enteringUniversity, I was determined to perorm

as well as I could. I was not eventhinking about possibly becoming theValedictorian. Te Vishnu Panday

Association worked with the Departmento Computer Science (CS) to award each

years best graduating student rom theDegree programme with a plaque that is

displayed in the CS Lab. I would look atthe plaques achieved by the graduates,and tell mysel that one day, my name

would be there.It is air to say she wentar beyond her goal even while achievingit.

Teir days on campus were occasionallyhectic but when it came time to burytheir heads in books in preparation or anassignment, or an examination, they wereocused.

Heywood said,I didnt have a particularmethod o studying, I just read out o myinterest. In terms o assignments, I tackledthem early because I like to do a lot o

background research. When it comes toexams I am a person who cannot study

too ar beore. Its like I have to have aear o ailure to drive me. I just did not

want to ail.

I always had a drive to succeed,Marraynoted, so my parents never had to pushme. I studied on my own. I read through

the material two, three times and in thatway I get a better understanding o the

material and content, putting in two orthree hours a day study time. For me itsmore about teaching mysel. I would try to

teach mysel out loud,she said.

Vineeta Persaud attributes her success toher lecturers and amily, especially hermother, Rita Persaud who is a ComputerScience lecturer at UG. She pointedout that her mothers passion or thefield inspired her love or coding andprogramming. Her final year project wasthe development o learning-riendlysofware, MyWebPLE. It was developed toallow users toactively contribute to theirlearning environment, instead o passively

accepting expert-provided inormation.Tis allows the inormation to be easilyaccessed and searched. Te users will

be able to contribute, collaborate andcommunicate with experts and ellow

learners.

Loria-Mae became one o six Caribbeanstudents and the only Guyanese to beshortlisted or the Caribbean Rhodesscholarship in 2009, and she was lateraccepted into the Development Studies(MPhil) programme at Oxord University.She is now settled in Switzerland at theGraduate Institute o Development Studiespursuing a Masters programme which willbe completed in August, 2014.

Heywood pays a compliment to thequestion posed, What happens aferSwitzerland? and shows off some o herfluency in French. Tats a good question.I have been offered a consultancy with oneo the UN offices here so I am going to take

that up and just see where that leads. I amlooking or some international experiencebeore thinking about returning home.

I want to be comortable. Switzerlandhas its attractions and studying has itsown hurdles and rewards. Heywood said

there were many times she wanted to give

up. Many times I said Im not doingthis study thing anymore but I know my

goal in lie is to better lives. Its all aboutperseverance or me.

Eileen has her eyes on higher education,but is currently enjoying every bit o herworking lie. Right now its all aboutgetting accustomed to the world o work.

For someone who has never worked beoreit is a reality-check. She is concernedabout youth unemployment locally andunder-employed; she noted that a riendo hers who graduated with a degree ineconomics is still looking or a job. Teseare some o the issues she is sensitive aboutlooking ahead.

Vineeta has returned to UG as a lecturer.It is a place that has given much to her,she says, and she has gone back in service.She hardly has time or anything else, even

though she is more than optimistic abouthigher education.

No one knows what the uture holds.For Loria-Mae, Vineeta, and Eileenvaledictorian was hardly in their sightswhen they started at the Universityo Guyana. Tey however put in atremendous amount o hard work andreaped the benefits. Tese ladies are sureto make greater strides with the will tosucceed and a good support system toenable them. It seems the ormula has not

changed going orward.


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The Woman PrintA conversation with

Mothers in Black

For our and a hal years they protested outside ParliamentBuilding affected by the loss o their children and seekingchange. Tey called themselves Mothers in Black, inspiredby a similar group in Peru called Women in Black, which

consisted o mothers who had lost their sons.

Denise Dias, born to an English mother and Guyanese ather,ormed Mothers in Black under the Alicea Foundation.Te Alicea Foundation had been created in memory o Mrs. Diasdaughter Alicea who was struck by an alleged drunk driver alongthe East Coast o Demerara. Alicea was only seventeen; a young,talented lie with great promise had been cut by a driver who wasnever prosecuted.

Mrs. Dias was not only heartbroken, but very angry. Te same driverhad killed a man on the road sometime beore and many wonderedwhy was he still driving when he had a case pending? Mrs. Diaselt the police and judicial system had ailed her. She had to dosomething.

Ten, in July 1997 another accident took the lives o eight persons,mainly children. Mrs. Dias immediately placed an advertisementin the newspapers seeking public support to join a road saetycampaign. Eighteen months later, Mothers in Black was ormed.

Withstanding rain and the hot sun, the Women in Black stoodoutside Parliament Building with pictures o the children they lost,calling or the enorcement o road saety laws. Afer some our and ahal years Mothers in Black was able to influence the enorcement oroad saety laws including laws that dealt with the use helmets, seatsbelts, breathalyzers and radar guns by the police on the roadways.

Over the years Mrs. Dias has shared road saety tips with manyschool children through the private schools. She is ofen invited tothe National Road Saety Council, the raffic Department and theMinistry o Home Affairs to provide an input on road saety relatedregulations. She served as the vice-president o the National Road

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Saety Council and represented Guyana inseveral road saety events in countries suchas Barbados, rinidad, Brazil, Peru andthe United States where she was invitedto tell her story. In 2010 when the ClintonFoundation recognised Guyana as oneo the our countries or their progressin road saety, Mrs. Dias was selected torepresent Guyana.

In 2011 the United Nations GeneralAssembly adopted a resolution, Decadeo Action or Road Saety, that pledgedto reduce the number o deaths on theroad to zero by 2020. Guyana made acommitment to honour this pledge in 2012through the work o the National RoadSaety Council, the Alicea Foundation andMothers in Black.

oday, Mothers in Black is concerned

about those between the ages o 18 and 25who drive without completing the nationaldriving examinations. Mrs. Dias has beencalling or a national inquiry into issuessuch as buying driving licenses as wellas bribery o traffic officers. She is alsoconcerned about the qualifications that areneeded to join the police orce.

Tere are plans or a monument to beerected in the National Park in honouro those whose lives were lost to recklessdriving. Mrs Dias hopes the monument

will serve as a reminder that one lie loston the road is one too much.

Mrs. Dias proves that women have theability to motivate and make changes toa society. She encourages women to worktogether to bring about positive changes,emphasising that the world would be abetter place i we can spend at least onehour a week doing something positive orsomeone else. Tis, she concluded, wouldguarantee us a more satisying humanexperience.

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Fine DiningWith Carolyn Rahaman

You arrive at the door where you aregreeted by the restaurants hostess andguided to a table. Instantly you are

taken by the dcor. Picture: black andwhite with red accents and warm lighting,presenting an intimate setting suitable orriends, amily or that special other hal.

When you are seated, your waiter or theevening presents you with the menu whichoffers an array o international and Guyanesedishes to choose rom as well as a list oimported wines and other beverages.By the time your night is over, you eel verypleased to have experienced great ood and

It is important to know why you are getting into thebusiness venture and where the collateral is coming from

before you start

excellent service in a soothing atmosphere.I just wanted to introduce Guyana to thesame standards I enjoyed while travelling

overseas. Carolyn indicated as we sat downor a chat on the veranda o Silhouette.Te name o the restaurant was decidedafer we finished designing it. Te ambiencejust spoke to me and silhouette came to

mind, Carolyn noted.

Carolyns no stranger to the service industry;she, along with her husband Jad, were oneo the first proprietors o Palm Court, andhas since helped to establish several amilybusinesses including JR Burgers and Club

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Altitude. Tough each venture posesunique challenges this has not stoppedthese business moguls.

It is important to know why you are

getting into the business venture andwhere the collateral is coming rom beore

you start, she explained, as she gave us atour o her restaurant. It will not alwaysbe easy but you have to have a vision, a

workable plan, and more importantlysupport.

A smile consumed her ace when shementioned support. We had to askFamily is my rock!Carolyn exclaimed.

Tey have always been my main support

system. We bounce ideas off o each otherand we are there to give advice and guide

each other through every stormTerein lies the key to a better Guyana,Carolyn contends.

I believe the amily unit has aresponsibility to pass on values and normsto children, the type o values that will

allow them to grow.

Values such as the importance o loveand commitment are important to Mrs.Rahaman, but most importantly is onescompassion or others. Tis led to herremembering several young people whomshe has interacted with over the years.Ive met some great young people who lef

Guyana to purse their studies abroad andhave now returned home to do volunteer

work and contribute to building Guyana

in whatever way they can. Tough theiractions directly affect development, it isntalways recognised and appreciated.

She then spoke very highly o theaccomplishments o her own children andemphasised, several times, the importance


o education inshaping the world welive in. Mrs. Rahamanis very passionateabout humanitarianwork and she works

with several Non-GovernmentalOrganisations toraise money orunderprivilegedamilies.

Afer an hour oconversation wewanted to know whatadvice she had tooffer persons who are

unsure o how to makea difference in lie.

oo ofen we

undervalue theinormal methodsshe began, justtake a amily i you

can, or a child andsupport their dreamsin lie. Pay or their

education, buy themschool clothes, do

something that that child or personcannot do or themsel. It may seem like alittle gesture, but those small actions will

eventually change the world we live in,and thats what we all should be trying to

do: we should be trying to make the worlda better place.

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Personality Interview

Alisha FortuneNational Sports Champion

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People see my glorybut they do not knowmy story

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Alisha Fortune is a NationalRunner, Football Reeree, BodyBuilding Champion and amember o the National Rugby

eam. She is also a Christian and a singlemother o three smart children. Alishamanages to balance work and amily lie asshe daily strives to be her better sel.

Age: 39

Hobbies: I absolutely love to dance and Iam a trained masseuse.

Favourite saying: Ive been through somuch in lie and I manage to maintain apositive outlook, so I would have to say:People see my glory but they do not knowmy story.

Pet peeve:Persons who smile with you butare silently waiting or you to ail. I dont

get why some people wish evil on others,but in lie you learn to stay positive andignore those negative people.

Number one song on your playlist: Ah!I have so many and I really appreciateworship music. Right now Im replayingGreater Is Coming by Jekalyn Carr.

Where do you see yourself in ten years:

In relation to sports I hope to still becompeting in track and body buildingcompetitions. I also hope to own my own

gym and masseuse parlour. In relation tolie I hope to see my children completeschool and pursue their dreams.

What does being a lady mean to you: Alady represents strength, determination,dedication and the ability to overcomeobstacles.

If you could change one thing in theworld what would it be:I would ensureno one in the world is hungry ever again.

I am:A Champion in every aspect o mylie!

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Gail TeixeiraLeading a Political Life

In a world where politics is more orless dominated by testosterone, a ewwomen have proved that politicalcompetence and efficiency do not

discriminate on the basis o sex.

Presidential Advisor on Governance Gaileixeira is a woman who has undoubtedlymade a name or hersel in the arena oGuyanese politics.

She began her political career in 1977,although she recalls having a passionor domestic and international politicalissues as a twelve year old student o theSt Margarets Primary School. During hertime at St. Margarets eixeira and herellow school mates were required to keepa diary on a topic o their choice. Andwhile others her age were writing abouttheir avorite toy or a game they liked, Gailsaid she was making notes o the explosivepolitical atmosphere here in Guyana and

abroad. I think I had it in my bones orblood stream since then, she explainedchuckling.

Miss eixeira attended St. Roses HighSchool until 1966 when she lef with herparents or Canada. She was ourteen atthe time. In Canada, she was involved inpolitical activism and the pursuit o highereducation.

o garner unds, eixeira took up jobs

as a waitress, a domestic, and she evenworked in a plastic actory. Her sacrificeseventually afforded her the chance tocomplete an undergraduate degree in Art,History and English at the University ooronto, beore moving on to a Masters inPolitical Science at York University.

At 19 years, she joined the CanadianCommunist Party (CCP), the Associationo Concerned Guyanese (ACG), andCanadians Concerned about South

Arica, an organization that was devotedto raising awareness about the straddleso South Arica. ACG was o particularimportance to her as it was an organisationo the Peoples progressive Party (PPP)committed to the struggle or democracyin Guyana. It was her involvement in theACG that would afford her the chance toreturn to Guyana, and eventually becomethe political heavyweight she is today.

In 1976 eixeira met Dr. Cheddi Jagan,

Politicians dont retire, youeither die on the job or youare kicked out. I dontthink I can ever just stay outof a political role, but the roleI play next will be different.Sooner or later I might want

to do something else.

By Antonio Devonish


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who quickly recognized her commitmentto the party and her country, and heinvited her back to Guyana as his personalsecretary until 1992 when the PPP wonthe general election and Dr. Jagan becamepresident.

eixeira was appointed Education Ministerin 1992 and she kept that portoliountil 1997 when she became Ministero Culture, Youth and Sport. She thenserved as Minister o Culture, Youth

and Sport and Minister o Home Affairsunder President Janet Jagan and PresidentBharrat Jagdeo.

Fifeen years afer her first ministerialappointment, President Jagdeo appointedher as the Advisor on Governance andHead o the Governance Unit at theOffice o the President. She still holdsthat position today, and at 61 years o age,the veteran politician has no intention oolding any time soon.

When asked about retirement, eixeirasaidpoliticians dont retire, you eitherdie on the job or you are kicked out. Idont think I can ever just stay out o a

political role, but the role I play next willbe different. Sooner or later I might wantto do something else.

Sacrifices

Ms. eixeira conessed that as a woman inpolitics, she aced and continues to ace

several unique challenges. No matterwhat you do as a woman you still have tomanage your house, your children, andsometimes your husband i there is one,

and you are expected to carry the ull loadas an equal partner. Women always have

double and triple burdens, and along theway things get sacrificed, eixeira noted.She also commented on the late hoursmost politicians work, which can be veryproblematic or a mother and a wie in

politics.Afer a while a man gets bored,he gets ed up, you know? Tis is notwhat he signed up or. I he is like you,

a political person, then he will haveempathy, but many proessional womenare orced to make the choice o either a

career or a amily. She continued thatwhen a choice (sacrifice) is made, it mayseem like the right thing to do but thetoll it takes on ones personal lie alwaysbecomes apparent.

Miss eixeira did not allow her bustlingpolitical career to stop her rom having aamily o her own. Family, she said, is theanchor which holds her steady during theups and downs o her political lie.

She has successully raised two daughterswith her partner o 19 years. Toughthey eventually separated she maintainsthat the union was not a causality o herpursuit o politics. He was still my bestriend, my partner and adversary. Heremained those things until his passing

just a ew months ago. When asked aboutthe prospect o finding another love, shelaughed, and said Im old now.

She took that light moment to be verycandid, my male comrades respect meand they recognise my worth, but I thinkthat none o them would probably want

to live with me. With this statement,she pointed to yet another issue whichaces women in her position maleintimidation. It is extraordinarily

difficult or men to deal with women likeme, women who are strong and confident.As women continue to work their sel-

esteem grows and they become moreambitious. Somehow this intimidatesmen but that should never deter you

rom becoming the woman you wish tobecome.

In total, Ms. Gail eixeira believes the lieo a politician offers a sense o ulfilment,a sea o challenges, and the need ormany sacrifices. Despite these realities,she encourages women to take up themantle. Te glass ceiling can be broken,she concludes, personal reasons aside Iengaged the political lie to show young

women, and men or that matter, thatthis is a uture you can aim or. When init never ollow blindly, go with eyes wide

open, and as you go know that anguish,rustration, pain, tears, anger and joy will

be irreplaceable components. Te beautyabout it is that those components play a

key role in making the political journey.

Hon. Gail eixeira M.P. during Budget Presentation 2014

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Successful Marriage?What is the Key to a

Patience. Count from 1 to 10before you answer because itsthe response that brings therow

It depends on understandingand communication

I dont think there is one spe-cific key that unleashes theoutpour of marital bliss, butin my opinion maintaining astrong friendship where thereis plenty skin-teeth, fun andlaughter is vital

Its a partnership that calls formutual understanding, respectand an acknowledgement thatno one is perfect

I think there must be threemain elements: understanding,compromise and trust

For a successful marriage I be-lieve the lines of communica-tion must always be kept open,and we should never allow thelove to grow cold

Carolyn Rahaman

Married for 38 years

Latoya Mordle


Phillip Williams

Married for 7 years

Kwesi Isles

Married for 4 years

Priya Nasir


Sheron Taylor


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Shaping the LadyFeature on Kavitas Signature

Cut and SpaBy Monique Springer

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Kavita De La Cruz is a wie, mom and a businesswoman. Afer workingas a hairstylist or over 15 years , the opportunity o owning her own

salon came along finally and she grasped it. Kavita's Signature Cuts andSpa became a reality in June o 2011. Tey offer services in haircutting, styling,hair and scalp treatment, manicures, pedicures and ull body spa treatments. Westopped by Kavitas or a little chit chat with her.

Lady: Where did the inspiration to become a hairstylist come rom?KD: Well initially rom my mom whom was a hair stylist hersel. My love orart and the beauty industry remains my driving orce, also I love to see thetransormation and restored sel esteem I can make possible or a customer.

Lady:How important is it or your hair to be well groomed as a woman?KD: Being a hairstylist may have something to do with my response, but itis actually very important. Every woman has a busy lie regardless i you're ahousewie or career woman, but that's no reason to neglect your hair. Simplyworn or eccentric, 'it is your beauty'.

Lady: How ofen should a woman treat her hair?KD:We should treat our hair as ofen as necessary depending on condition, style,liestyle etc. Proper shampooing and conditioning is a orm o treatment andshould be done no less than once weekly.

Lady:Which hairstyle looks good on every woman?KD: Once the hair has enough length , I would say a ponytail. Every woman isbeautiul and a ponytail shows it off.

Lady:What do you do when a client insists on having a treatment done that maycause damage to her hair?KD: We do not do it, instead, we advice o another service e.g i they comein or a colour and their hair cannot withstand it we would advice a beautiulhaircut, deep condition and style. Tey leave happier and more pleased ratherwith a whole head o damaged hair.

Lady: How do you motivate your staff?KD: I compliment my staff on a job well done, it makes them eel appreciated andeager to please the customers and mysel. One staff member said my complimentshave more o an impact than those coming rom customers and that makes meeel appreciated. I must throw in here that I have 11 employees, all women.

Lady: What is the number one misconception prospective business owners haveabout owning their own business?KD: Te biggest misconception is that you have to work less. You actually haveto work a lot more because no one is going to take better care o your investmentthan you. You have to be in it all the way, especially in small businesses.

Lady: How you balance work and amily lieKD:It is difficult at times because I work rom Monday to Saturday. During theweek I ensure I prepare three meals a day or my amily and on Sunday whateverwe do we do together whether playing games, watching movies or going or adrive. Family comes first , but I have to work.

your hair says a lotabout your personality...

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Rene ThompsonThe Business of Beauty

Beauty is

somethingthat wecannot see;it is on theinside. It isconfidence,self-esteemand attitude.

Her name is Rene Tompson and beauty is her business.Afer two years o introducing hersel to makeup artistry,Renee has already made her mark as one o the mostrenowned makeup artists in Guyana. Rene currently

owns Bromeliad.rnc Makeup Studio which deals with makeup retail,make up artistry and makeup artistry classes and she has worked

with some o the biggest names in the local entertainment industry- Nuriyyih Gerrard, Lisa Punch, Ruqayyah Boyer and Ashma John.Lady recently had a chance to chat with this makeup artist about hercareer.

By Monique Springer

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Lady: You have always been in thelimelight; you have done modelling,dancing, designing, poetry and even a bito singing, what led you to do makeupartistry?

RT: I did not choose makeup artistry,it chose me. I literally wandered intobecoming a makeup artist; it waspleasantly accidental. I would have neversaid that I wanted to become a makeupartist six years ago but it is what I amdoing now and I absolutely love it!Lady: ake us through the start-up oBromeliad.rnc Makeup StudioRT: I started this business in my bedroom;I had just completed my training andwas ready to introduce Black Opal to

my amily and riends; these amily andriends became clients and marketingrepresentatives. Te makeup I broughtto Guyana lasted two weeks: I was bothsurprised and happy. It wasnt long afer

my business outgrew my bedroom and Ineeded to get somewhere much larger.Lady:Where did you receive yourtraining?RT:I did my training overseas, inBarbados. I was trained by Black OpalsProduct Manager who taught me how touse the products and how to market andsell Black Opal Cosmetics.

Lady: How did you convince people tostart using Black Opal?

RT: I used it mysel; there is a part o everywoman that is always looking at anotherwoman to criticise, compliment or desire.At first I got compliments, then womenstarted to desire my impeccable finish- I

told them my secret was Black Opal. I alsodid a lot o ree work which is paying offnow.

Lady: What does beauty mean to you?RT:Beauty is something that we cannotsee; it is on the inside. It is confidence, sel-esteem and attitude.

Lady: What should makeup be to awoman?RT: It should be an enhancer and a


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confidence booster. It is not a mask; I donot agree with women using makeup as amask.

Lady: Does makeup make a woman morebeautiul?RT: Make up does nothing or the soul,so it cannot make anyone more beautiul;it can make you prettier and more

presentable in some cases. I have a riendwho was denied a customer service jobbecause o the acne on her ace, Im sure ishe wore makeup her ate might have been

very different.

Lady:What do you say to people whodespise makeup and criticise the use o it?RT: I would not say anything; it is apersonal choice.

Lady: Where do women make the mostmistakes when it comes to make up

application?RT: Blending and matching powder withoundation, a lot o women do not getthis right; and when wrong it makes themlook less pretty. Another problem area iseyebrow grooming, (which is not makeupper se but it is definitely my number one

pet peeve) eyebrows should be groomed tosuit the shape o a womans ace.

Lady: What is one makeup item that awoman should never be out o?RT:Tere is not just one; you shouldalways have moisturizer, makeup remover,concealer and sunblock.

Lady: What do you think is theappropriate age or a young woman to startusing makeup?RT:I dont make the rules, but I think 16 isa good age.

Lady: What are some o the challenges youace in this business?RT:I dont ace any major challenges tobe honest, especially when it comes tocompetition- I am in my own lane. I showlove to all my ellow makeup artists andI genuinely wish them the best. I try to

remain humble and disciplined so mybusiness and career would not suffer.

Lady:You are young and successul. ellus, what would be your mama I made itmoment?RT: Definitely being a part o a makeup


team or New York or Milan FashionWeek.

Lady: You also teach makeup artistry, whaadvice do you give to your students?RT:Firstly: youre going to have to dowork or ree in the beginning, do nothave a problem with this, it will pay offeventually. Secondly: invest your time and

your money in your trade, there are alwaysnew techniques to learn and new productsto try out. Finally, be ahead o your stock,you have no excuse to be out o anything.

Lady: Whats next or Renee Tompsonand Bromeliad.rnc?RT:In the immediate uture I will havemy own make up line called .rnc . Itwould not carry oundation, powderand skin care products, (I trust BlackOpal Cosmetics with that) but I planto brand makeup tools, lip glosses, eye

shadows, mascara and concealer to namea ew. Apart rom that I plan to continueto perect my craf and work towardssatisying the needs o all o my clientsbecause they deserve quality service romBromeliad.rnc.

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If you are a singlemom you needa support group.People you cantrust and dependon; people thatcan become yourvillage to help raiseyour child.

The Idea of Parenting alone

Ihave ofen heard that it takes a

village to raise a child but now I trulyunderstand what it means. I, likemany other single parent moms, am

beginning to realize that we are becomingthe majority. Its not something I am proudo; as a matter o act I am quite araid o

the stark reality. I have been alone or quitesome time trying to raise a man, my son.Sure he is only 5 now but very soon he willbe taller than I, and reusing my hugs andkisses. Soon he will be a man. When hewas born, ear swept over me like a blackcloud in the rainorest. It was a amiliar

eeling but I was not ready to do this thingcalled parenting alone.

I know o women who say, I dont need aman, I just want a child. While this maywork or some amilies, it was not what Idesired at all. I wanted him there. I prayed

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and tasted o my own tears or many days

and nights as I begged God to touch hisheart so I would not have to do this alone.In time, I realised that was a losing battleand I soon gave in to taking the reins andsteering this young, impressionable childin the right direction.

Tere are many other moms out thereacing challenges. Some people havebecome angry at their plight and havetaken it out on the very children theyswore to love and protect, while others

simply all into a state o depression. Iknow because it happened to me but Isoon realised that I didnt have to do thisalone.

I you are a single mom you need a supportgroup. People you can trust and dependon; people that can become your village tohelp raise your child. I have a mother thathas quickly become my sons baby sitter,teacher and anything else he needed herto be along with sisters who stepped inas disciplinarians and un aunties when Iabsolutely needed their help.You may also want to bring a possiblespouse into that village but be careulbecause there are so many things to

consider: When you start dating again,ask yoursel when is it a good timeto introduce my partner to my child?Contemplate whether the extent o yourlove relationship depends on how much

your child likes this new man. Ensure thatthis new prospect can and will be able toprovide or you and your child or children.

At the end o the day always rememberyour child sees you as their shelter, theirstrength and their rock: be there as bestas you can, understanding that you arenot going to get everything right the firsttime. Most importantly, cherish the villagebecause they ensure you do not have toparent alone.

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Guyanese Women in Development(GUYWID) was started inGeorgetown by the then First

Lady, Janet Jagan in 1994. Tework o that organisation eventuallyended, due to lack o availability omembers, and it was re-launched in2000 by the Minister o Human Services,Ms. Indra Chandrapaul in Georgetown.wo years later, GUYWID was launchedin Berbice with five women as initialmembers.Te Organisation provides training,educational and developmentopportunities or many, as they seek toempower women and teenagers to be

leaders in their respective communities.GUYWID is also concerned with theemotional health o women and they seekto build, through their many projects,womens sel-confidence and sel-worth.

We try to do as much as we can with

what we have. We believe women play anintegral part in the societys developmentso we work to ensure their development,

Mrs. Denobrega, the President oGUYWID, shared with Lady.

GUYWIDs programmes cover a widerange o issues in Berbice, rom talks ondomestic violence and drug abuse, to the

importance o child maintenance andFirst Aid training. Tis 15 member (allemale) body has also cleaned up theirsurroundings, held walks and vigils to raisebreast cancer awareness and coordinatedwith businesses to place bins along themajor roadways in Berbice.

Last year we conducted a six weeks

diabetic support programme in NewAmsterdam, Mrs. Nasir mentioned, that

was ollowed by a six weeks sewing class tohelp women master the trade.

Tere are amilies in the region that areless ortunate and need financial support

to send their children to school. Weprovide books, shoes and school uniorms

to as many homes as we can, Mrs.Persaud noted. We also raised moneyto build a house or a amily who reallyneeded one.

Afer listening to several stories about thevolunteer work o GUYWID, we had to

Guyanese Women in Development

Empowerment is the Keyto Success GUYWIDladies, March, 2014.

By ivia Collins

L to R Hormela Basdeo, Pam Bacchus, Indira Yacoob (Secretary),Phulmanie DeNobrega (President), Priya Nasir (Vice President),Jenny Bookmohan and Sharada Persaud

Christmas 2012, NO. 68 Village SquattingArea Corentyne

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ask i there is anything they cannot do.Tis question was greeted by a resoundingNo!

I we see a need we try to meet it. Mrs.Nasir explained,I dont think we considerthe finances first, we always ocus on how

to solve the problem or meet the need, andsomehow the money to complete the task

comes.

Te women do, however, engage in severalund raising activities to cover theirbasic costs. Each year there is a majorundraising cricket match at the BerbiceCricket ground. Tey also hold ood sales,boat cruises, movie nights, tea parties andan annual Valentines Dinner. GUYWIDalso receives unding rom severalbusinesses and donations rom privateindividuals, but it is still not enough tocomplete all their planned activities in a

year.

We do as much as we can with the littlewe get but more [financial support]

is needed to urther the work o theorganisation. Te President however is

very grateul or the financial support theycurrently receive.

Like any NGO, GUYWID has aced manychallenges throughout the years. Teyhave been ridiculed and discouraged romworking in the community by several

citizens and have even been threatened by


the amilies o the (abused) women theyhave helped. Te members o GUYWIDhad to learn how to balance their personallives with volunteering.

One member interjected, everyoneshould give their time to help someone

in need even though it can be verydemanding. Tough demanding, their

amilies are always supporting and cansometimes be seen helping at GUYWIDactivities. All the women agreed that thesupport o their amilies provide themwith great strength to continue working.

Te group is aware o its challengeswhen helping the needy. We are notcounsellors, or example, so we lack thetraining needed to help women who

may be in an abusive relationship. Teydo, however, reer these women to theMinistry o Human Services and to SocialWorkers in the area or the necessaryhelp and support. Despite the set-backswhich may seem to cripple them, thewomen o GUYWID will keep rising,as they remain ocused on their goal owomen empowerment. For the ladies,

empowerment speaks to the strengthand success o women in their daily lives.GUYWID reiterated their commitment tothe work o the people and they do hopetheir actions as a group continue to affectchange in the community.

ogether, they stand firm by their motto:Win small, Win them All.

International Woman's Day 2013 GUYWID honouredVanessa Siamon o Hopetown, West Coast, Berbice

GUYWID Donates home to Jasmattie Ramand her five children in Corentyne

Fund Raising Cricket Competition, April 2012

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I will write and share my story with anyone who iswilling to listen. Women need to know this abusething is not a joke. Seek help and move away fromthe relationship. Dont let one time turn into death.

The Spirit of a FighterNazalena Natasha Houston

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She witnessed the hacking to deatho her children; she hersel lostan arm and three fingers all at thehands o a man she once loved.

Te pain and horror were indescribable:Natasha Houston saw death and lived totell its tale.

I am okay, a sigh escaped her lips. What

else can I be? I am alive or a reason onlyGod knows, but I am thankul.

Eight months beore this interviewNatasha had two main reasons to be happy,her angels, six year old Kimberly and twoyear old Saheed.

ragedy would, however, steal Natashasangels and attempt to break her spirit. Ibelieve they are in a better place. Tatthought keeps me going. Natasha saidas she held their pictures close to her

heart.Te date was July 31st, 2013.Natasha unwillingly returned tothe home o her abuser, Richard,a man she had lived with sincethe age o 14. Weeks beoreshe and her children soughtreuge at a riends home afershe decided she had had enougho the physical and emotionalabuse she suffered or eightyears.

I thought he was my lie. I drop out[o] school and run away rom home

or this boy. I loved him bad.Natasha related.

Te first time he hit me Ikept it silent. He apologised

and said he would neverdo it again it, however,

continued rom there.

Natasha suffered physicaland emotional trauma ihe drank too much, i sheasked him where he was,i she was out or too longor i any response during aquarrel upset him. Eventuallythis abuse affected herrelationships with amily. Hedid not want her talking to hermother or spending time withany amily member or riends,especially male riends. Richardsbehaviour was so erratic that he

built their home acing the fields instead othe road since he claimed Natasha wouldbe able to see men and leave him.

Natasha did think about leaving him, butafer witnessing abuse as a child at thehands o her step-ather, a permanent earplagued her.I actually thought it wasbetter to stay with Richard [because] I

might find another man and he might beatme and my kids, just like my step atherdid with my mom and siblings.

When the abuse got

unbearable Natasha would muster up thestrength to leave. With help rom amilyand riends she managed to be away romRichard or a ew weeks.

Tere were moments I got away but healways find me, no matter where I go. He

would turn up, pack up my clothes andtake them back home. Sometime he would

come crying and begging me to comehome and I would eventually go back withhim.

Te last time she lef she made a decisionnever to return. On the 23rd July, 2013Richard beat her with the usual weapon ochoice, the cutlass. Natasha then fled with

her children to a riends home whereshe hid or several days.

A week later Natashawent to meet with a

probation officerin Pouderoyen.Tough worriedthat Richardmight see hershe proceeded,

cautiously, withthe children. Tere

Richard was, hiding atthe corner o the road.

When she was near, hegrabbed Natasha and orced

her and the children in the back

o a taxi that was waiting or him.Despite her pleads with the taxi driver

to take her to the police station, the taxidrove them home.

Mi come home back uh mi dead!Natasha screamed as Richard dragged herout the car and into their home. Inside theabuse intensified.

He cuff me, kick me, punch me, bangup me head to the wall. He do me that

or hours. Natasha relayed as her lipstrembled. He then lock me up in thehouse, you cant leave me, he tellme. Natasha became his prisoner.

Later that evening Richard began tosharpen his cutlass. Natasha noted that

this was a normal routine or him as acane cutter, so she was not alarmed.

Te events that ollowed, however, can bedescribed as a real lie horror story. Iwas making porridge or my son when

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I eel a burning in my back, when I turnedaround Richard was over me with the

cutlass. I watch he chop my hand off andI all to the ground. He then turned on mychildren.Natasha then provided a chillingaccount o the murder o her children.

I tell Kimberly run, but it was too late.He grab her hair and fly a chop straight

cross she neck I see she head rolldown I know she dead. He then turnpun baby who di hollering all di time.Natasha clutched her stomach as sherecalled the horror, I tell he run, andRichard tell he dont move. Te boy wasconused. Natashas countenance suddenlyappeared blank, no acial expression. AllI hear afer was a chopping sound as I seebaby blood land pun di walls the place

immediately get silent.Natashas mother, who had been trying allthe while to break the door o the house,

eventually succeeded. Tis orced Richardto end his rampage, scale the ence andescape.

Neighbours and relatives could not assisther or move the bodies o the childrenuntil the police arrived so bleedingNatasha was lef, surrounded by death, ortwo and a hal hours. Natashas lie, as sheknew it, was over.

I wasnt thinking about living cause Ididnt know what I would be living or,

Natasha reflected, I lost my children,they were everything to me.

Te weeks that ollowed were filled withagony. She was unable to pay her lastrespects at her childrens uneral. Richardwas eventually ound hanging rom a treeat the Zeelugt oreshore. In keeping withher request, the house she once lived inwas dismantled. Nightmares tormentedher as she relived the murders both indreams and visions.

Tere was, however, a fighter that emerged.Natasha was named a miracle by thedoctors, afer a successul surgery. Helpand Shelter then placed Natasha in asae house where she was counselledand provided or. Te Central IslamicOrganisation o Guyana assisted bysponsoring a live-in nurse or her duringher time at the sae house. Natashaeventually started Physiotherapy and wason the road to recovery.

I it wasnt or the women at Help andShelter I dont think I would still be here.

People like Ms. Greene and Ms. Wilsonhelped me get back on my eet. I I knewthere was a place like that earlier, I would

have gone long time.

Natasha eventually returned to hermothers home and has been acing daily

realities but is determined to rise above herdarkness. With only one arm Natasha haslearnt to manage on her own and can beconsidered semi-independent. She cooks,cleans the home and can put on a shirt byhersel (this she demonstrated to us withmuch pride). Plans have already begun(through an NGO) to secure a prostheticarm or her which she hopes will make herully independent.

It has not been an easy journey but with

her strong aith in God and support romher amily, counsellor and well-wishers,Natasha continues to hope or better days.During counselling sessions at Help andShelter Natasha ound emotional releasethrough the pen and has written severalstories and poems that bear testimony toher unbroken spirit.

I will write and share my story withanyone who is willing to listen. Womenneed to know this abuse thing is not a

joke. Seek help and move away rom therelationship. Dont let one time turn into

death.

Tough she is not sure what the utureholds she remains somewhat optimisticabout it. She is, however, sure that she willdiscover and ulfil the plan God has or herlie. Terein lies the spirit o the fighter.

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Stress and its effects on

A Woman's HealthI

t was afer the birth o my secondchild that I really began to eelstressed. It was then I realisedsome o the negative effects stress

was having, not only on me, but on mymarriage, my job - almost every part o mylie!

Many people are stressed right now. Someare able to handle it while others all apartat the tiniest bit o pressure. What makesthem different?

Men and women handle stress differently.Recent studies have shown that womendiffer rom men in their emotionalapproach to stress and that both long termand short term stress may take a greatertoll on a womans physical and mentalhealth than a man.

When stressed, our bodies release a

hormone called cortisol which affects theskin, digestive system, immune system andeven ones sex drive. Vitamin C is one othe first vitamins to be depleted rom ourbodys storage when we are under stress. Itaffects nearly every system in the body andhow we deal with it may be underminingour health in more ways than we realise.

When my stress level went up, my desireor sex went down. Dealing with a newbaby, a toddler and a husband who wasworking and at school was enough to tossmy libido through the window.

Another sign o stress or women is anirregular menstrual period. How manytimes have you skipped a period during astressul time? When my husband and Iwere getting married I was very careul tochoose a date where I knew I wouldnt beexpecting my period. Afer the stress o

Remember,

stress happens toeveryone at somepoint in their lives.What determinesthe outcome ishow we choose toreact.

By Rishon Seegopaul-Rambarran MIRM, RM, ND.

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planningand

decoratingmy ownwedding, myperiod was twoweeks late andshowed up on ourwedding night.

Stress is a common cause o insomnia.Research has shown that women who sleeplittle over many nights do not perorm aswell on mental tasks when compared towomen who get close to 7 hours o sleep.Stress also can affect the skin, causingexcess oil production that can cause acnebreakouts. Some girls develop bad acneduring a stressul exam period.

Women are twice as likely as men toexperience depression. Raised levels othe stress hormone cortisol resultingrom chronic stress like an unhappy jobsituation or acute stress like divorce or thedeath o a loved one can act as a trigger ordepression.

Have you gone through a period o hairloss? Tis is one o the signs o stress.

Afer a stressul period, I see haireverywhere - on my pillow, in the

shower, in my hairbrush, on thefloor, on my shirt, everywhere!

It will all out by the handuls!Te hair loss may not be

immediately evident at the

time o the stress, but canbe noticed three to sixmonths afer.

Stress also results in unhealthyweight gain, reduced ertility and

can put us at an increased risk orheart disease.

So, the million dollar question: how dowe let go and not let stress consume us?

1. Speak about

how we feel. Let othersknow what we are

going through, butbe sensible about

it. Confide inpeople you trust

and ostermutually

supportive

relationshipswith riends,amily andco-workers. Aswomen, we areofen programmedto put others beoreourselves. I you dont share what isbothering you, people will not be ableto help, even i they want to.

2. Exercise. Whether it is my morninggym sessions or chasing my two

wonderul kids around the NationalPark, exercise helps. Its good or theheart and reduces the anxious anddepressed eelings we may have. It alsoguarantees a good nights rest rom allthe physical activity.

3. Eat healthy. Food plays an importantpart in how we eel and how we

respond to stress. I am blessed tolive in a country like Guyana whereresh ruits and vegetables are readilyavailable. When I go to BourdaMarket, I try to make my shoppingbasket as colourul as possible withlots o local produce. I drink lotso water, as opposed to juice andsoda and I try to limit my intake oprocessed oods.

4. Relax. As a Reiki Master, part o mydaily routine is meditation. I find that

deep breathing and visualization areequally as effective. Te mind is oneo the most powerul tools we haveand more ofen than not, how we eelphysically is a reflection o what ishappening mentally. You can also geta proessional massage. A deep tissuemassage can remove months o stressin just an hour.

Sometimes though, stress may be sooverwhelming that

you still need help.Te first step is

always admittingthat there is a

problem. Tenext step

is to seekout a

qualifiedmental

healthproessional

or counsellorwho can help you

figure out what iscausing the stress and

what steps you can taketo address it.Remember, stress happens to everyone atsome point in their lives. What determinesthe outcome is how we choose to react.We can overcome it, or we can allow it tooverpower us. Stay happy, stay healthy.


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o our eet, thus increasing theproblems we have with corns,bunions and the like. Sometimesyou trip and sprain your anklesin high narrow heels, notbecause you cant walk in theshoes, but because o how theyredesigned - sometimes you alsoreally dont know how to walk

in them.

Double trouble!

Styles with a slight platormat the ront tend to be morecomortable as they maintainstability and balance. A platormto the ront also relieves someo the stress thats placed on theballs o our eet. Tis along withthe right size should make uscomortable in our stilettos.

It might prove helpul to,preerably in the afernoon, havesomeone measure your eetwhilst youre standing up. Keepthat measurement with you; younever know when youll decideto go shoe shopping.

To ensure that were kind to ourfeet we should:

1. Buy shoes that are the shape

o our eet and can offer oureet and ankles the supportthey need. Fit and comort

are essential when gettingyour right size.

2. Make certain that you havegood toe room. Many timesthe problem with pointytips is that they crush ourtoes together, killing thecirculation at the ront.

3. Ensure the shoes haveproper soles. Lets avoidslipping and sliding, ladies.

4. Spend some time walkingin them. Some might seemcomortable when you trythem on at the store but maynot be as comortable afer.Stretch to fit doesnt work;i its tight its clearly notyour size and you should try

again.

We all know that we justCANNO live without shoes.Tis being the evident case weneed to be more sophisticated inour shopping. Right size, rightfit should be our mantra. Luckilymanuacturers are taking all othe above into considerationwhen manuacturing shoes, sowe just need to be a little moreproactive in our search.

Really, all we need is love theright size o shoes!!! :)

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Olive oil 1 cup dried bread crumbs1 clove garlic minced 2 eggs1 lg onion chopped 2 tbsp water2 (16 oz) cans tomatoes 1 lg eggplant, cut into slices2 tsp sugar cup grated parmesan cheese tsp oregano leaves 1 (8) oz pkg mozzarella cheese tsp basil cut into slices tsp sage

Heat 2 tablespoons o oil in a 9 skillet over medium heat. Cook the garlic and onionuntil tender, then add the next 5 ingredients. Reduce heat and cook, covered, or 30minutes.

Place breadcrumbs on waxed paper. Beat the eggs with the water in a small dish. Dip theeggplant slices in the egg and then the crumbs. Repeat to coat each slice twice.

Preheat oven to 350F. Heat 2 tablespoons o oil in rying pan over medium heat. Cook a eweggplant slices at a time until golden brown. Add more oil as required.

Arrange hal the e

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