NEW YORK – Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been named as an international achiever alongside humanitarian Queen Rania, actress Julia Roberts, pop star Fergie and twenty-three year old Katie Spotz who rowed 2,817 miles alone in 70 days.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has also been placed in the exalted company of Dr. Hawa Abdi, a 63-year-old woman who has been working with her two daughters, also doctors, to educate and lift women out of poverty in Somalia.
The Trinidad and Tobago leader has been listed with fashion designer Donatella Versace, and acclaimed American sportswomen Mia Hamm (football), Lindsey Vonn (skiing) and Lisa Leslie (basketball).
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar and three other female world leaders, were honoured Monday night at an exhilarating function at Carnegie Hall, New York, hosted by Glamour, which was recently named Magazine of the Year.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar receiving her Glamour award.
They were each named as Women of the Year and given plaques.
The Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister and the other honourees were hailed, in video presentations, by former US President Bill Clinton and current Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
They were presented before a capacity audience of dignitaries by Dr. Susan Rice, US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar was credited for fighting poverty and crime and a commitment to bringing more women into public office.
The other world leaders who were celebrated were President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and Prime Minister Iveta Radicova of Slovakia.
The four leaders were given a standing ovation.
The event attracted the participation of media mogul Oprah Winfrey, actresses Hillary Swank and Kate Hudson, television journalists Katie Couric and Diane Sawyer, singer Janet Jackson, media commentator Arianna Huffington and Chelsea Clinton, daughter of the ex-US President.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg also addressed the large audience.
Singer Cher was given a lifetime award.
Glamour’s editors noted that the number of female world leaders had moved from eight, in 1990 when the Women of the Year honour was introduced, to 19 at present.
Before the glitzy event, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar granted a number of interviews on the red carpet walk to CNN, USA Today, AP, New York Daily News, People and In-Touch magazines, E-TV, MTV Extra TV and several other media bodies.
She spoke of her efforts to take people out of poverty, to diversify the economy, to increase tourism arrivals, create new opportunities and other initiatives of her administration.
Journalists showed great interest in her rise to power and her agenda for change.
In a brief acceptance speech at the function, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar urged people to visit Trinidad and Tobago and said the country was “a great destination for investment and for leisure.”
Speaking about the advancement of women, she stated: “We will all rise together.”
She said she was humbled and accepted the award on behalf of “unheralded women.”
Videos showing the humanitarian work of Queen Rania of Jordan, the successes of Julia Roberts and Fergie, the three sporting stars, boating adventurer Katie Spotz and Dr. Abdi were among the highlights of the fast-paced and exciting event.
Fergie, who has sold 26 million records and won six Grammy awards, delivered a tear-filled thank-you to the event organisers.
Dr. Abdi and her daughters received a standing ovation for their initiatives near to the Somalian capital of Mogadishu.
Some of the non-political awardees, including Queen Rania and Roberts, addressed the function.
Glamour magazine also paid tribute to 20 young women who “who are already changing the world” through humanitarian, education, health and other undertakings.
Belief in yourself, courage, hard work, strength and determination were inspirational themes of the event.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar ended the evening dining with several of the honourees and other prominent international personalities.
