Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda (right) with Jennifer Lim (left) and Andrea Bickhoff at the Mexican National Day reception, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston last Wednesday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
It has been described as the International Brotherhood of Sisters and while some say it glibly, others see it as a greater understanding of powerful forces at work across the universe that has seen the widespread empowerment of women and attaining their own in power and authority.
So here in Kingston, as a sign of that growing importance of the role of women, there are seven women here as heads of missions and at least two deputy chiefs of missions. They are: Their Excellencies, American Ambassador Brenda LaGrange-Johnson; South African Ambassador Advocate Faith D' Radebe; Nigerian High Commissioner Modupe Akintola; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Cuban Ambassador HE Mrs. Gisela Garcia Rivera; Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Filomena Navarro; and Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner Yvonne Gittens-Joseph. German Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Friedrich-Boerger and Deputy Head of Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Madai Hernandez round out the women of power and influence, representing their respective countries here in a sate that recently elected its first female head of state. Talk about sign of the times?
Common denominator
Well there's one common denominator binding these women of power and influence here and that is their undoubted and unquestionable chic. We are talking a fabulous array of fashionistas and the fashionable as they execute their duties in nothing but the finest of style! And speaking of fine style and regal fashion there's no denying the fab style and Continental chic of Mexican Ambassador Rueda. The lady is the very epitome of haute-style and elegance.
And so it was, that on Wednesday evening last when guests gathered at the Hilton Kingston hotel's 18th floor Les Ambassadeurs suite to celebrate Mexico's National Day, it was indeed to a fabulously grand affaire to which they were welcomed.
It was a Mexican fiesta with the very best of Mexico, its culture and culinary offerings; and in attendance an August body of the nation's leading socialites, leading members of the diplomatic and consular corps, and of course, fab-society!
It was a celebration befitting the 196th anniversary of Mexico's independence and Ambassador Rueda and her complement of staff of the Mexican embassy did a magnificent job! No drab ceremony here either, just a brief interlude for the Jamaican and Mexican national anthems, followed by an address by Ambassador Rueda, delivered in her native language, and again in English, by an interpreter, after which the celebrations took full flight!
The Hilton's Les Ambassadeurs was all decked out with the Mexican colours and paraphernalia that we have come to identify as Mexican to maximise the celebratory effect. No Mariachi band here, but there were some fabulous flamenco-style dancing, and loads of goodwill from those gathered. And as the costumed dancers concluded their display, those gathered needed no prodding in taking to the dance floor and dancing up a celebration. And with premium libations flowing, good music, a delightful fare and fabulous society, it was all good.
Those out included HE Ambassador Douglas Saunders of the Jamaican Foreign Affairs Ministry; HE Ambassador Richard and Margaret Bernal; HE Ambassador Maxine Roberts; Tunty Barrett and wife HE Ambassador Madge Barrett; Dean of the Diplomatic Corp, HE Ambassador Cedric Harper and wife Dr. Barbara Harper; head of The EU Delegation Ambassador Gerd and Mara Jarchow; British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Cresswell and his elegant companion, the lovely Dr. Barbara Munske; French Ambassador HE Francis Hurtut; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesus Silva; Argentinean Ambassador HE Mario Pino; Venezuelan Ambassador HE Gonzalo Fernandez; Brazilian Ambassador HE Cezar De Souza Lima Amaral; Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner HE Yvonne Gittens-Josephs; Dominican Republic Ambassador HE Filomena Navarro, her daughter also out; Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicopolo and wife Corrine Nicopolo; Deputy Chief of Mission US Embassy Heg and Janet James; Deputy Head of Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Madai Hernandez; US Embassy Consul General Edward Wehrli and his charming wife Rose Wehrli; wife of the Belgian Ambassador, Myriam Portacarero;as well as Mexican Embassy official Magnolia Goldson.
Also out were:
Insurance giant Dennis and Diane Lalor; Security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; socialite the elegant Jo Page; Legal Luminary Chris and Michelle Bovell; Mrs. Ruby Martin; Anthony and Jeanne Watson and their son James Watson; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Yvon Desulme and hisfabulous wife Cynthia Desulme; the oh-so-elegant Susan Alexander; Capt. (Ret). Michael and Thalia Lyn; Richard and Diana Stewart; Charley Johnston and wife Lisa McGregor-Johnston; the regal Joy Mahfood; George Fatta; Paul and Becky Stockhausen; Lois Sherwood; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Neville Blythe; Rear Admiral (Ret) Peter and Carol Brady; DCP Mark Sheilds; Gerd and Elaine Dreyer; Mrs. Maria Pinchin; Horace and Josephine Bogues; Lachu Ramchandani; William and Sandy Tavares-Finson; the charming Gilou Bauer; Anthony Harris and his flawless daughter Christelle Harris; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Hugh and Ouida Dumphy; Nicole Pearce; Cedric and Kamala McDonald; David Minott; Alex and Cheryl Hill; Geoff Lewis; Esperanza Fernandez; Winston Dwyer; plus many more, all making for a wonderful outing and a grand time!
