Bermuda's foremost females celebrated at CableVision Awards

A surprise proposal, a musical flash mob and, of course, the leading ladies of Bermuda made for a wonderful evening at the Bermuda CableVision Salute to Service Banquet on Saturday.

This year’s theme was ‘A Tribute to Bermuda’s Leading Ladies’. Ten women were honoured during the ceremony and Bermuda’s three former female premiers and six premier’s wives were recognised. 

The winners were Amy Adderley, Sister Molly Burgess, Shirley Dill, Rev Betty Furbert-Woolridge, Dr Eva Hodgson, the late Louise Jackson, Dolly Pitcher, Ann Smith Gordon, Ruth Thomas and Bernella Williams. 

In addition, Kyrah Scraders was recognised with the annual Rollin Nathan Community Awards and was given $1,000 towards her training programmes for track competitions. 

The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by a five-course dinner at the Fairmont Southampton, during which the Bermuda Institute steel pan band performed. 

Margaret Fergusson, Governor George Fergusson’s wife, spoke before dinner and said: “Tonight, we celebrate leadership in ten women who have demanded to be taken seriously; who have advocated for the young, the sick, the old, the marginal and the abused. Who have shown a fearless commitment to enriching the lives of others and, in the process, represented us all. 

“I am proud to salute you.”

First Ladies

Antoinette Cannonier, Premier Craig Cannonier’s wife, introduced the wives of the former Premiers of Bermuda, including Lady Eileen Sharpe, Lady Lully Gibbons, Lady Jacquelyn Swan, Christine Saul, Olga Scott and Wanda Henton Brown. 

Mrs Cannonier said: “In every sphere of life, they used their positions to shine lights of encouragement and support.

“And they represented Bermuda abroad and to visitors here at home, from kings and queens, to presidents and prime ministers, always with dignity and graces.

“It is my view that Bermudians were proud of the way these ladies carried themselves. I also suspect that their work and their example assured many that there was a sensible, grounded presence in the lives in the Premiers.”

Former Premiers Dame Pamela Gordon Banks, Dame Jennifer Smith and Paula Cox were recognised for their work in Bermuda while serving as Premier, and for their contributions afterwards.

Entertainment

In addition to the speeches, the entertainment was fabulous. After dinner, attendees saw a musical flash mob by Proclaim It, who sang “You’ll be a witness’. 

Working Title, fronted by Lamont Robinson, sang ‘Ladies Night’ and ‘It’s a Man’s World’. 

A group of young boys also sang an a capella version of ‘Wade in the Water’. 

And a surprise proposal took place as Mike Jones, a long time employee of CableVision, stepped on stage with his girlfriend, MC for the evening Danilee Trott, and professed his love for her to much applause from the audience. 

At the end of the evening, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was gifted $5,00 to help with their reading programme. 

Chapter President Roxanne Christopher said: “This $5,000 will go a long was as we give free books to every household of Bermuda to make reading and literacy fun.”

The event ended after 11pm, with many guests trickling away as the evening drew to a close.