Ms. Diana Lydia Swann to be awarded 2015 "Woman of Distinction" Award

Tue, Jul 7th 2015, 01:15 PM

Celebrating Woman International (CWI) a subsidiary of TKHGFI nonprofit organization, announced plans today to award Ms. Diana Lydia Swann with the “Woman of Distinction Award” 2015 for her outstanding accomplishments professionally and within the community.

I Am Woman… Hear Me Roar! These words adequately describe Diana Lydia Swann nee Wilson. Her determination to succeed in what many at the time called “a man’s world” has helped her fashion a legacy of “firsts” that women throughout this country, region and indeed the world can be proud of.

Born in Fresh Creek, Andros to a Bahamian mother and Columbian father, Swann chose to broaden her horizons in Freeport, Grand Bahama and, following a brief stint at the Bahamas Oil Refinery Company (BORCO) in the early 1970’s, found her passion for serving her fellow country man in Journalism.

Her career in Journalism began in the late 1970’s in print as a reporter for the Freeport News, Grand Bahama’s leading daily newspaper. There she began to hone her craft and develop a style that would not only reach the masses, but touch them as well. She then joined the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas’ ZNS Northern Service in the early 1980’s as a radio news reporter for Radio 810AM, quickly becoming a recognized and trusted voice and the first female anchor for the local radio station. Her ambition to succeed would not allow her to stop there though and with the introduction of television news at the Northern Service, Swann became the first lead and female television anchor in North.

Noted as a pioneer in Journalism, Swann’s talent and drive propelled her to even higher heights and greater “firsts” at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) and indeed in Journalism in Grand Bahama. She is the first female Deputy Director of News in the North and the first female General Manager to come up through the ranks. She is credited with the implementation of ZNS TV’s Community Page, the development and enhancement of the station’s Abaco office, as well as the establishment and hosting of a number of programmes and productions that have remained favourites for viewers like For The Record and Eye on Health.

The leader of a number of hurricane teams providing coverage for the Northern Service, Diana Swann’s ability to capture the attention of her listeners has been touted throughout The Bahamas as she was able to bring calm to what some say was a community on edge during several of Grand Bahama’s worst disasters – the storms of 2004 and 2005.

She is also known for her coverage of many local, national and international assignments and dignitaries, and has represented ZNS and The Bahamas in the field of Broadcasting at various conferences, leadership seminars and forums abroad, and under her leadership there was a tremendous upswing in revenue at the Northern Service, with over one million dollars being raised in a year’s time.

Swann also led the establishment of a wide range of initiatives geared at aiding and uplifting the community: the Wish Upon A Star programme brought cheer to children in need during the Christmas holiday through the hosting of a fun day with festive music, eats and drinks, and a gift for every child in attendance; the Mother’s Day concert paid tribute to matriarchs throughout the entire Grand Bahama community; and the March for Healthy Lifestyles programme reiterated the importance of exercise and eating healthy for a healthier mind, body and soul.

In 2007, Swann accepted an invitation to assist in leading a fledgling television station in the Turks & Caicos Islands – the first HD-enabled television station in the region. In addition to her duties as General Manager, she was instrumental in setting up the newsroom and training the then inexperienced news staff, as well creating avenues for revenue, helping to make TCI New Media a rival station in just a few months time.

As has been her trend, Swann also became a widely recognized media relations figure in the Turks & Caicos Islands and, following the closure of TCI New Media due to politics in that country, she went on to exercise her expertise as a Public Relation’s consultant and host of a morning radio show in the TCI on SmoothFMTCI. Swann named the show “The Breakfast Club” it provided morning talk fun entertainment educational and exciting topics.

She has since returned to The Bahamas to lead the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas as General Manager.

Swann has three children: Gevin Adderley, Garrette Aruschka Lydell and Jondee Swann. She married John Swann (deceased) in 1988.

Her grandchildren are Tame, Charlisa and Shavonnia, Jordache and Joedy Swann.

Founded in 2013, Celebrating Woman International aims to mobilize and inspire women across the globe, to honor, recognize and celebrate the contributions of women, leveraging their untapped leadership capabilities in order for them to thrive in the world so that they can lead productive lives.

Celebrating Woman International goals are to:

• Unite, connect, engage and inspire women to honor and celebrate themselves and other women worldwide.

• Expand women’s global business and leadership opportunities.

• Create a virtual “Celebrating Woman” Worldwide Center & Hall of Honor by 2020.

• Provide a one-of-a-kind global education initiative focused on honoring differences.

• Inspire a spirit of service and giving among women.

“Celebrating Woman International thinks honoring women for their accomplishments and hard work is a wonderful way to thank and inspire other women within the community. These awards are intended to do that. The selected honourees have demonstrated an untiring zeal for service to the community and inspire us through their selfless commitment to improving the lives of others,” Celebrating Woman International Corporate Secretary, Collin Smith said.

During the month of October, the “Woman of Distinction Awards” will be awarded to women who have made significant contributions in the following categories: arts; business; finance & trade; religion; law; civics; media and sports in The Bahamas.

During the month of September, Celebrating Woman International will announce the names of all the honorees and give more details about the upcoming events.

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