Change in society does not just come about through amendments made to the law, rather it is a combination of factors, which includes a general change in behaviour, according to guest speaker Justice Ramsay-Hale.
Ramsay-Hale made the statement while speaking at the Business and Professional Women’s Association of Grand Cayman's (BPW) annual candlelight dinner.
“It is tempting to think that the solutions to all of society’s problems can be solved by getting Government to act, whether by passing a law or implementing a policy, but experience shows that passing new laws is not enough, as changes in the law do not change behaviour, without more. Changes in behaviour occur through education, engagement and support,” said Ramsay-Hale.
Ramsay-Hale noted that while it was human nature to look outwardly, accepting responsibility and
recognizing personal power is an instrumental change agent that is often overlooked.
“In the same way we can be vectors for diseases such as COVID-19, passing illness from
one person to another, we can also be vectors for ideas, passing them from one person
to another, because ideas, like diseases, can be infectious. And just like diseases, ideas
can be vectors of disruption” and lead to change…We can all be changemakers,” she said.
“The way you get change is through advocacy, and by advocacy I mean engaging in activity
intended to influence decisions within political, economic and social institutions: media
campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research, or simply talking to
others about your ideas. That’s where it all starts,” she added.
Ramsay-Hale also used the occasion to thank the organization for inviting her to again be guest speaker, having operated in the role twice before in 1998 and 2003.
While the event is traditionally held to install officers of the incoming board of directors, this year’s event took on a three-fold role to install the officers, engage the greater community and inspire those attending to take action.
BPW GCM President Andrea Williams also used the occasion to recognize three woman who had volunteered with the organization during the COVID lock downs:
• Mrs. Olde
• Pilar Bush, Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, DART
• Dani Coleman, Director, Hazard Management Cayman Islands
“Each of these women, respected in their own professional capacities, and also all leaders in the pandemic response, still took time out of their schedules to support the work of our club during lockdown, and that was invaluable in keeping our members motivated to pivot our initiatives to find success in this new normal” Wiliams shared.
A presentation was also shared with the 120 guest in attendance on the history and work of BPW Grand Cayman since it was founded in 1976.
“Although BPW International has only recently aligned their projects and work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, BPW Grand Cayman, has always worked in the community towards these goals – addressing social justice issues by executing on-the-ground initiatives, while advocating for policy changes as well,” shared host of the evening Mahreen Nabi of Acorn Media.
Notable guests at the event included Governor Martyn Roper, Member of the Legislative Barbara Connolly, Philanthropist Susan Ode and Founding Member of BPW Grand Cayman Annie Moulton.
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