Celebrating Woman International (CWI) a subsidiary of TKHGFI nonprofit organization, announced plans today to award Rev’d Irene Russell with the “Woman of Distinction Award” 2015 for her outstanding accomplishments professionally and within the community.

Rev’d Irene Russell a woman, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, Pastor, Teacher, friend and Counselor, Rev. Irene Russell was born on the island of Eleuthera in the settlement of Rock Sound, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart Pyfrom, now deceased on October 15, 1935. She was married to Walter Watson Russell on March 5, 1953 (now deceased) and has three children; two daughters, Sherrie and Julian Carey and one son, Walter Russell Jr., six grand children and five great grandchildren.

Her Christian journey began in the late forties under the Ministry of Rev’ds. Earl Weech and Earl Pritchard who went to Eleuthera with their families to hold revival meetings. The meetings were initially held under a tent and from the tent moved into the Masonic Lodge Building where they worshipped until the fellowship moved into their own Church building, Faith Tabernacle Assemblies of God on August 10, 1947 of which she is a founding member.

During that time her ministry consisted of teaching, playing the piano and she preached her first message at the age of twelve after having been baptized on April 20, 1947. Her text was the 23rd Psalm. Over the course of the next few months, she and her fellow converts attended Bible School Classes offered by the South Eastern Bible Institute and received Diplomas having studied topics including Bible Doctrines, Tongues Like As of Fire, Paths of Prophecy and Seeing the Story of the Bible.

It was always Rev. Russell’s desire to become a Nurse and after her 16th birthday she relocated to Nassau. That dream however was not fulfilled because at that time she was too young to enter the profession and sadly had to switch career paths and became a Legal Secretary instead in 1966. In that same year she sought employment at Kendal Isaacs & Co. as an Executive Secretary, a position she held until 1990 when she then entered the Ministry on a full time basis.

Upon her arrival in Nassau, Rev. Russell started to attend Evangelistic Temple on Kemp Road where Rev. Kenneth Short was then the Pastor. There was eventually a split in the Church body and a group of brethren relocated to Collins Avenue and re-established Evangelistic Temple while a group of brethren remained in the Kemp Road Church in what is now known as Glad Tidings Tabernacle. There Rev. Russell has taught Sunday School Classes, served as the Assistant C.A. President, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent and started Children’s Church in 1964.

During the years 1974 through 1981, Rev. Russell worked with Pastor Ross Davis (now Bishop Davis) assisting in his Ministry at Golden Gates Assembly. There she helped with the music, the Choir, Sunday School, Women’s Ministries and Children’s Church. In 1981 she returned to Glad Tidings Tabernacle as she felt this was the Lord’s will for her life and ministry. In October 1981 she and the children she worked with there, aired their first radio program of “Annie and the Children”. A program which is still aired every Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. on Radio Bahamas. In 1990 she became the Assistant Pastor of Glad Tidings Tabernacle under the leadership of Rev. Paul Roberts and remained in that role until his death in 1997 when she became the Pastor and where she continues today in the service of the Lord.

In addition to her professional accomplishments as an Executive Secretary, named Secretary of the Year in 1973 and her years of Christian service already alluded to, Rev. Russell has also been involved in many other facets of Christian and Civil Service during her lifetime.

Some of which include holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Caribbean School of Theology and also a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Education from Global University, served as a Lay Magistrate and is also a Justice of the Peace, served as the National Secretary of the Assemblies of God in the Bahamas including the Turks And Caicos Islands, a position she held for 18 years serving from 1989 to 2007.

She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of B.A.S.H. (Bahamas Association for Social Health, The International Year of the Family, Co-Chairperson of One Bahamas, The Order of Merit Awards, Public Hospital Authority, The Hurricane Relief Committee, The Prison Visiting Committee and most recently as the first President of the North Eastern Pastor’s Alliance. She serves as the Coordinator of the Northeastern District of Urban Renewal 2.0 Peace Ambassadors. In May 2014 she was elected as the New Providence District Presbyter-Assemblies of God in the Bahamas including the Turks & Caicos Islands, presently serving as the Vice President of Avenue of Hope a Women’s Teen Challenge.

For her unselfish and dedicated work both in religion and in civics, Rev. Russell has received a number of awards recognizing her contributions in the field of religion and to society. She received a Leadership Global Award from International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA), in November 2002.
Special recognition from Kemp Road Ministries for Community Service in February 2003.

Special Leadership Award Pace-Setter Women’s Ministry from the Assemblies of God in the Bahamas National Women’s Ministries in October 2003.

Recognized for Continuous Contributions within the Kemp Road Community from the Kemp Road Outreach Association in May 2005. The next month, in June 2005 recognition from The Uriah McPhee Primary School for ‘Invaluable Service’ to the School and the Community.

Also in July 2005, The Global Vision Award in recognition of ‘Exceptional Leadership’ and ‘Devoted Service’ in the field of Religion from the King Humanitarian and Global Foundation Inc. The Conquering Lion Award from Big Harvest Ministries in January 2006 for succeeding against all odds and having the boldness of a conquering Lion.

In 2007 received an award from One Bahamas in recognition of Service and in 2009 awarded ‘Mother of the Year’ by her Church and an Assemblies of God Founding Member’s Plaque. 2012 Honoured by Prison Fellowship Bahamas as an outstanding Mother and for personal contribution and involvement in the ministry.

Rev. Russell was ordained as an Assemblies of God Minister in 1987 and appointed a Marriage Officer in 1988. Today she continues to serve as Pastor of Glad Tidings Tabernacle in Kemp Road, host her children’s radio program, ‘Annie and the Children’ and counsels individuals experiencing personal crisis in their lives. She is still a member of the North Eastern Pastor’s Alliance only recently having demitted the President’s Office but serves as the Chaplain. Rev. Russell remains an enthusiastic and devoted servant of the Lord serving in humility and love.

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.