Nassau, Bahamas - Cia Monet's Beauties @ Brunch latest installment went to Abaco on August 5th to celebrate of 50 years of women’s suffrage, at the Abaco Beach Resort. The red carpet affair was hosted by Phyllis Albury Garraway and attendees dined on a scrumptious brunch and were entertained by singing sensation, Richa Sands. They also enjoyed a New York style fashion show featuring Abaco’s finest models wearing Herve Leger designs and more featuring clothing for women, men and children.
Female honourees were Wynsome Ferguson, Lady Carmen Cornish, Miss Quitel Charlton, and Miss Anna Albury. This event was under the distinguished patronage of special honouree Ms. Astrid Stratton, one of the first female bankers and pilots in The Bahamas. The adopted local charity was Feed the Children, to which part proceeds of the event were given.
"It was our most successful event to date! I feel it may have been due to the honouring of our younger women, Anna and Quintel who are both teenagers. This particular group of honourees inspired young and old and highlighted the importance of mentoring. We left knowing that females can make a difference at any age," said Patricia Chatti of Cia Monet.
13 year old honouree, Miss Anna Theresa Albury was born on April 13, 1999 and her parents found out she was totally blind at three months old. Devastated, her parents wondered how they were going to raise a blind child in Abaco as it did not have any facilities for the blind? They were told that blind people are main streamed in local and private schools with a Braille teacher’s aide. When it was time to begin learning, they purchased Anna books in braille and visited Light House for the Blind in West Palm Beach every 6 months. Anna went to Small World Learning Academy in Man-O-War for pre-school and then to Hope Town from Grade 1- Grade 6 were she excelled in her school work and loved her school friends. Anna was on the honour roll in Hope Town and top in her class. She always came 2nd place in the Government Spelling B’s and won 2nd place in a Rotary Club of Abaco Speech Competition in 2009. In 2010-2011 she was chosen Student Of The Year for all The Bahamas and she spoke for the Youth of the Bahamas in our 2011 Independence Celebration at Fort Charlotte. Anna was also chosen to speak for the National Youth Rally at The Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium when we celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee and she got to meet Prince Harry.
17 year old Miss Quitel Charlton was born in Nassau and presently lives in the very small community of Green Turtle Cay in Abaco. After attending the Amy Roberts Primary School she graduated as valedictorian in 2006. She is now a 2012 graduate of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic School. Showing great leadership throughout high school she was president of the Interact Club, class president, head girl, projects manager of the Anchor Club and captain of the girls’ basketball team. Quintel was also a member of her school's choir and debate team. With a passion for public speaking Quintel is a two time National Junior Achievement Speech Competition Winner locally and nationally. She is the first National Most Distinguished Junior Achiever of The Bahamas, the 3rd place finalist of the Chevron Texaco 10th annual Speech Competition, the 1st place finalist in the Toast Master’s International Youth Leadership Program Speech Competition 2012 and Abaco’s very own representative as a finalist in BTC Starmaker. She is also the Abaco District Captain of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers.
Wynsome Ferguson is a native Abaconian, where she has lived most of her life and presently resides. Ms. Ferguson grew up in the community of Spring City, where she worked towards the growth and development of her home town. She was instrumental in the formation of the Spring City/Lake City Reunion, where she served as secretary. The committee brought descendents from Lake City and Spring City together after some 30 plus years. Wynsome led the effort in the repairs and upgrade of the Spring City Park, which included a children’s play ground, resurfacing of the basketball court, construction of bleachers and fencing in of the area. Eventhough she now resides in Central Pines Estates, she continues to be apart of the Spring City Community, as she presently serves as the secretary of the Spring City Rockers Junkanoo Group. She attends St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, Marsh Harbour, where at the age of fourteen, she served as Sunday School teacher and well as president of the Christian Youth Movement. Currently she serves as vestry member and assistant treasurer of the Anglican Church Women. Ferguson previously served as office manager of the Ministry of Tourism Abaco and is a founding member of the Abaco Christmas Festival, an event to lifts the spirits after hurricanes Jane and Frances. Presently she serves as Board of Director for Friends of the Environment, working hand in hand with to protect the environment of Abaco. She is also on the board of directors for the Wild Horses of Abaco, as well is treasurer to the Central Abaco District Social Development Committee, and secretary of the Spring City Rockers Junkanoo Committee. Ms. Ferguson is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, from Rotary International.
Born in Nassau, Lady Carmen B. Cornish had served faithfully at her church in Abaco for several years before God called her and her husband to further their education. In 1998 Lady Carmen she moved to Columbus,Ohio. where she, her husband, and son enrolled into World Harvest Bible College (Now known as Valor Christian College). After graduating they returned to Abaco to fulfill the call of God. In 2002, they started Change Ministries International, where she serves as administrator. Lady Cornish always insists that she is not a pulpit preacher but she prefers hands on interaction. She is consistently seen giving advice to the young ladies at Change Ministries and also around the island. She began a group earlier this year geared towards women this year called “Gods Glamorous Girls” First Lady Cornish is a strong believer in family. One of her main goals is to see other couples succeed in their marriages. She is always giving good Godly advice to other younger couples.
The final installment of Beauties @ Brunch will take place in Nassau on October 14th and will lend honour to the three first Bahamian female pilots of Bahamasair, as well as Syngular Journee (Littel Miss Petite Bahamas 2011) and Lauren Rolle ( Brownies Captain of the year 2011).
Honouree Wynsome Ferguson Photo: Demetrius Francis
Patricia Chatti with honouree Miss Anna Albury Photo: Demetrius Francis
Phyllis Joy-anne Albury-Garraway (right) and Patricia Chatti (left), pose with Ms Astrid Stratton (center), special honouree and one of the first female bankers and pilots in The Bahamas Photo: Demetrius Francis
Two time National Junior Achievement Speech Competition winner and honouree Miss Quitel Charlton (center) with Patricia Chatti (left) and Phyllis Joy-anne Albury-Garraway Photo: Demetrius Francis
Lady Carmen Cornish with her husband Photo: Demetrius Francis
