- RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Judith Keane (left) of NEM Insurance congratulates Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jevene Bent, on being honoured by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston in celebration of woman awards luncheon at the Hilton hotel on Thursday. Looking on is Becky Stockhausen, another honouree, and Gerthlyn Reid-Holman.
HONOURING GREAT people and sipping world-class champagne took centre stage with the women of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston last Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevene Bent, Molly Rhone, Diana Stewart, Becky Stockhausen and drs. Peter and Sandra Swaby were all honoured by the club's members at a special luncheon at the Hilton Kingston hotel on Thursday. The beverage for the occasion was Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Champagne (a mouthful, we know).
SUCCESSFUL BRAND
Madame Clicquot inherited the champagne house way back in 1805 but made the brand one of the most successful worldwide. Guests sipped the golden liqueur (with a gold and black decor to match) while listening to Dr. Kathy Brown and Friends before the citations were read.
The Swabys were presented with the Because You Care award for their work with HOPE Worldwide, an international organisation that promotes good health and education through faith. The pair also gives free service to the Mary Issa Clinic which serves communities such as Tivoli Gardens, Allman Town and Fletcher's Land.
Stewart and Stockhausen, both from the American Chamber of Commerce, were presented with the inaugural Outstanding Community Project Award for the erection of the Grant's Pen Community Policing Services Facility. Both women were lauded for doing everything from acquiring land for the project to applying for waivers from the Finance Ministry on Customs Duties and General Consumption Tax. They finished the project using J$20 million less than was budgeted; a testament to their project management skills. They have also established a Victim Support Unit at the centre which residents of Grants Pen and surrounding areas are giving full marks.
MOLLY RHONE
Molly Rhone, a stalwart of Jamaican sports, both as player and administrator, received her award as one of the club's Women of Excellence. Rhone, who is the first black woman to be appointed president of the International Federation of Netball Associations, served as president of Jamaica's federation for 10 years, in which she oversaw the highly successful staging of the 11th World Netball Championship.
DCP Bent, who in 2003 became the first female Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Caribbean, was also cheered for her work with various charity organisations, including the United Way of Jamaica, City Centre Improvement Committee and Woman Inc.
