The Grand Bahama Port Authority posted these photos that we have decided to share with readers of Bahamas Chronicle which has a huge following across the Bahamas diaspora, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. The GBPA shared these photos with the following information:
Freeport, Grand Bahama – Freeport, Grand Bahama – On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) proudly participated in the annual International Women’s Day Luncheon, a powerful gathering celebrating the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women. Held at the Stoned Crab, the event brought together distinguished guests, including Sarah St. George, Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ann Marie Davis, spouse of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, and Michelle McGregor, Director of Operations, The Bahamas Destinations, Carnival Corporation.
In her keynote address, Ann Marie Davis delivered an impassioned call to action, urging women to continue the fight for equal pay, equal opportunity, and the eradication of gender-based violence. She emphasized that while progress has been made, there is still much to be done to ensure that women and girls in The Bahamas and beyond live free from discrimination and violence. Davis also underscored the importance of women uplifting one another in professional and personal spaces, reinforcing that unity is key to lasting change.
Michelle McGregor inspired the audience by sharing her own journey of professional growth within the cruise industry. Despite not having a tertiary education, she rose through the ranks at Carnival Corporation, proving that hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities can propel women into leadership roles. She now oversees operations for all of The Bahamas Destinations, including the new Celebration Key in Grand Bahama, a testament to the power of perseverance and breaking barriers.
In her address, Sarah St. George highlighted the extraordinary journey of women throughout history, sharing stories of trailblazers who defied societal constraints to advance knowledge, innovation, and equality. She reminded the audience that the first International Women’s Day gathering took place in 1911, with over one million women standing together for change—a testament to the long-standing fight for gender equity.
St. George also illuminated the often-overlooked contributions of women in science and technology, recounting the origins of the word “scientist”, which was coined in honor of Mary Somerville in 1834. She spoke of Ada Lovelace, who, despite being the daughter of Romantic poet Lord Byron, laid the foundation for modern computing, with an intellect that rivaled Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.
“But all through history, remarkable women have overcome all kinds of bias to transform our understanding of reality, the universe, and our place in it. Their stories are both heartening and heartbreaking,” she said.
She then shared the deeply moving story of Lise Meitner, the scientist who discovered nuclear fission and was nominated for the Nobel Prize 49 times—yet never won. Many believe this was because of her moral stance against using science for violence, as she refused to contribute to the development of the atomic bomb. “And just look where we are today,” St. George noted, urging reflection on the ways in which women’s contributions have shaped the world, often without due recognition.
Beyond history, St. George shared her own personal journey of resilience—from a life-changing accident in Grand Bahama at age 18 to excelling in law despite challenges. She recounted how her father, though not always “woke” by modern standards, instilled in her a mindset of perseverance:
“Well look, you’re alive, you’ve still got the other arm, and you’ve got a brain – so use it!”
With that encouragement, she went on to pass the Bar at age 21, achieving the second-highest score in the UK and Commonwealth, despite having to dictate her exams due to her injury.
She also reflected on the role of women in leadership and the lessons of her upbringing, including a defining moment when her father, after the loss of her mother, looked to her as the one who would keep everything together. “Without your Mum around, you’re in charge now. I expect you to run the house, look after guests, pay bills, arrange food, answer the phone…” he told her.
“Now I know there was ‘empowerment’ in that joke; so important to self-esteem and self-respect, the lack of which probably contributed to my mother’s premature departure from this life,” she said, touching on the deep and often unseen struggles women face.
Ending her speech on a poignant note, she quoted Lord Byron: “Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.”
She then raised a glass in tribute:
“To all of us movers and shakers. To our mothers who gave us life, and the mothers before them. To all the female torchbearers through the years. To Mother Earth. And to our young daughters, who must grow up not only thinking, but knowing, they’re all born equal before God, before the Law, and before the State.”
With 100% of proceeds benefiting programs that support women and girls, the luncheon served as a reminder of the power of women coming together to inspire change.
