NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 45 resources, leadership strategies and material for women leaders. “When women win, everybody wins,” she asserted. “Because women are closest to the pain and the marginalisation and the inequities all over this world and we know those who are closest to the pain are closest to the real solutions that are systematic and sustained.” She also encouraged women to remain true to their purpose and to continue to make progress in the fight for gender equality. “Our generation of women, you and me, the generation of women represented in this room are the most successful, the best educated, the highest achieving generation this world has ever seen. Despite the sufferings, we have been triumphant but we’re not done yet,” she said. “You must continue to be brave, brilliant, bold and powerful, so I invite you to think back to your‘why’, your purpose.” Leighton Johnson, JTA President, for his part, stressed the importance of prioritising and focusing on investing in education, skills and opportunities for women to succeed and thrive in all aspects of their lives. “When we invest in women we are investing in the future of our society and as we empower women they make positive impacts in our schools, communities, country and, by extension, the world,” Johnson said. He said that the conference’s theme – ‘Accelerate Progress in Women: Invest in Her in 2024’, was potent and relevant. Asserting further that families, schools and communities are better because of empowered women, Johnson said he was proud to continue to fight for the advancement of women in the sector, primarily because it is dominated by women who are always more willing to assist. “… If the education sector is holding our nation together, then the only conclusion that we can draw is that women play a significant role in holding our nation and the world together,” Johnson said. He urged everyone to continue to advocate for gender equality to support and uplift women and work towards accelerating progress and positive change for women in Jamaica, the Caribbean and beyond. “Let us commit to investing in her, in her education and in empowering her and her overall success,”he said. “Together we can work together breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women to thrive and succeed. After all, women have been shattering glass ceilings and we will continue to support women in doing just that.” The conference, which was in its fifth staging, was aimed at empowering women in the teaching profession. JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE and 2023. In the most recent edition of the Vilma Lawes Munroe 5K Walk/ Run on Sunday, April 14, scores of participants gathered at Trinity Primary School in St Mary and ran, jogged and walked to the JTA’s Regional Office at Little Bay, outside of Port Maria. The event was attended by several JTA senior officers and admin team members. Devon Meek, manager for the Northeast Region, said he was proud of the cooperation and participation of the teachers and the various sponsors who made the event successful. More than halfway through the 5-K, coming through Port Maria. Left: JTA Northeast Region Manager Devon Meek saying thanks to Patron Olympian Christene Day. Some of the participants ready to go and waiting on last-minute instructions.
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