Women of Courage

Women of Courage is a series of
free workshops run by the University College of the Cayman Islands and
sponsored by Walkers law firm. Each seminar in the 12-week programme,
co-ordinated by UCCI’s Director of Student Services Mary Anne Cannon.

They are facilitated by
professionals from all walks of life and cover topics as diverse as acquiring
effective people skills to a look at Eastern thinking. Given the success of the
series so far, the college hopes to run another one next year.

Ms Cannon said, “Young women today
need help in understanding the developing issues they will face as they mature.
These workshop topics are aimed at giving them the information they will need
to live creatively and purposefully will balancing the demands of home, work
and study. The mission of the Women of Character series is to enhance the life
experiences of each participant by giving them the resources they’ll need to
build dynamic professional and personal signature skills. We are here to
support each other’s growth as women with an awesome power.”

The workshops are open to UCCI
students and to female members of the public. The sessions are on Saturdays
from 10.30am to noon, in the James Bodden block (turn right at the car park,
room GI is next to the library). Breakfast is provided.

Chief Magistrate Margaret
Ramsey-Hale, facilitated a workshop on 2 October, on Effective People Skills,
and covered subjects including the use of body language, trying to understand
others rather than always aiming to be understood, the need for respect,
establishing rapport, letting go of being right in favour of being happy and
showing the real you. Earlier workshops also covered Emotional, Spiritual and
Social Intelligence with Paula Grace Anderson; Engaging Conversation and
Communication Skills  with radio host and
owner of Bon Vivant Cynthia Hew; What’s L-O-V-E ?  by Wellness Centre Counsellor Taylor Burrowes
and most recently, Pillars of Character by Jennifer Williams of UCCI.

Ms Burrowes said, “When Mary Anne
asked me to facilitate one of the workshops for the Women of Character series,
I was very excited. Given my topic, I asked myself, what makes a woman of character?
I believe women of character are aware and accepting of themselves, able to
meet every challenge with grace, and remain true to their standards. I strived
to bring something powerful to the table that would help women gain insight
into their character and bring forth a sense of dignity in celebrating our
interdependence as a sisterhood.

“A week last Saturday was a very
positive and heart-warming experience for me. The women present moved me when
sharing their personal experiences with self love, romantic love, familial
love, and spiritual love. When women gather there are usually stories of pain
and sorrow, but it’s with the courageous acknowledgement of the pain that allows
us women to shift toward healing and strength. And that we did. I was told that
they were inspired by the stories they heard and that their eyes were open to a
truer meaning of love. I left feeling a real connection with my own character
and a bond with the women in the room.”

UCCI student participant Sharlene
Rogers said, “To me the Women of Character workshops have been very beneficial.
You have to be open-minded and willing to take risks as you are encouraged to
share some pretty deep thoughts and feelings. I have found the workshops to be
challenging in the sense that the presenters have helped me expand my thinking
and so in turn I’ve grown in my skills and my ability to see things from
different perspectives.

November and Decembers workshops

Creating Great Relationships –
Cindy Blekaitis, counsellor at Family Resource Centre, 6 November

A Look at Eastern Thinking – Mary
Anne Cannon, 13 November

Style: Look in the Mirror and Dress
for Success! –  Karen Marshall owner of
Off the Peg, 20 November

Decision Making and Leadership
Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking – Chief Education Officer Mary Rodrigues
27 November

Interviewing Skills/Resume Writing
– Deborah Chambers of UCCI, 4 December

Manners really do Matter – (Lucille
Kong of UCCI 11 December

Our Physical Bodies – Diane Donovan
owner of Bodyworks, 18 December.

Space is limited to 25; to register contact Ms Cannon at 623-0540 or
email [email protected]