Two leading non-government organisations focused on empowering young women joined forces with regional bank CIBC FirstCaribbean to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
P.A.C.E. (Providing Access to Continued Education) and S.T.R.A.W. Inc. Center (Strengthening, Transforming, Restoring, and Affirming young Women) provide positive intervention and resources in the lives of young women.
They both received donations from CIBC FirstCaribbean, their partner in bringing financial savvy to young girls through interactive presentations.
The ongoing activities are in celebration of International Women’s Day, which recognizes the remarkable strides that have been made towards gender equality, raises awareness of the ongoing struggles of women, and encourages them to continue to #PressForProgress every year.
S.T.R.A.W. is hosting their 14th Annual Girls’ Leadership conference at the British Colonial Hilton on March 16th. CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Beulah Arthur and Stacia Williamson will conduct a financial literacy seminar on behalf of the bank as part of the educational line-up.
S.T.R.A.W.’s Executive Director Therena Cunningham said: “CIBC FirstCaribbean’s donation will assist young women who are planning to attend our conference.
They will be coming from practically every public and private school throughout New Providence and the Family Islands.
It’s a networking experience for them to join with others to learn new skills, tips, tools, and techniques and to underscore education as the key to success.
“It’s crucial that we teach our young women how to earn money, budget, save, and use it to their advantage. Financial literacy is lacking in The Bahamas, but it’s important for these girls to understand how money works and how to make it work for them.
We want our young women to feel bold, courageous, and strong about everything they’re doing, including the financial aspects of their lives.”
As part of earlier International Women’s Day activities, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Antionette Turnquest talked to the young women at P.A.C.E. about creating a vision for success, the importance of business and interview techniques, and how to utilize social media to your advantage.
P.A.C.E. is a program that enables first-time pregnant, school-age girls to continue their education and gain entrepreneurial skills.
President Jackie Knowles said: “We’re happy to have partnered once again with CIBC FirstCaribbean for International Women’s Day.
“P.A.CE. continues to be a necessary component for our society because there will always be teen pregnancy.
I think it’s important to show our girls that their history doesn’t have to become their destiny.
We try to give them the best tools for success, and financial literacy can be a major part of their personal journeys.”
CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Managing Director (Bahamas and TCI) Marie Rodland-Allen said: “It’s an honour to partner with these two organisations which both have such a huge impact in the lives of our young women.
We’re doing our part in intervention by teaching young girls valuable and smart ways to interact with finances, because the way you handle money can change your life.”
The bank celebrated International Women’s Day internally by profiling the accomplishments of female employees within their organization.
They also hosted an internal lecture. Employees participated in a “purple dress” day and had the chance to win trivia prizes throughout as well.
To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, P.A.C.E. (Providing Access to Continued Education) and S.T.R.A.W. Inc. Center (Strengthening, Transforming, Restoring, and Affirming young Women) - two local organizations that provide positive intervention and resources in the lives of young women – are highlighting the importance of financial literacy in everyday life with the help of donations and financial education from CIBC FirstCaribbean. L to R: CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Antionette Turnquest and Beulah Arthur, P.A.C.E. President Jackie Knowles, CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Stacia Williamson, S.T.R.A.W. Treasurer Verdie Kriz, and CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Gezel Farrington, Marie Rodland-Allen, and Sherrylyn Bastian. Photo credit: Serena Williams Media and PR
About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a relationship bank offering a full range of market leading financial services through our Corporate and Investment Banking, Retail and Business Banking and Wealth Management segments. We are located in seventeen (17) countries around the Caribbean, providing the banking services that fit our customers’ lives through approximately 3,000 employees in 68 branches and offices. We are one of the largest regionally listed financial services institutions in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, with over US$12 billion in assets and market capitalization of US $2 billion. We also have an office in Hong Kong. The face of banking is changing throughout the world and CIBC FirstCaribbean intends to lead these changes with the expertise, integrity and knowledge gained from banking in the Caribbean since 1836. CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.
