Women’s arm of teachers’ union celebrates 78 years
DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 22, 2018
The Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC) of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) will be hosting a number of activities to mark its 78th anniversary.
The committee, whose anniversary is officially on June 25 under the theme, “Celebrating and Empowering Women in Leadership”, represents the interests of all the women in the GTU; its General Council is made up of representatives of GTU branches countrywide.
WAC’s Public Relations Officer, Bearl Charles told the Department of Public Information (DPI) today that the activities will be officially launched with a church service on Sunday, June 24, at the Miracle Tabernacle Ministry, West Coast Berbice.
Women’s Advisory Committee (WAC), Vice-Chairperson Deborah Short-Parker, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bearl Charles and Trustee, Hazel Pyle-Lewis with the hampers to be distributed to the women and elders.
Four retired West Coast Berbice teachers, including one male, will be honoured with food hampers. Tokens will also be distributed to residents of the Archer’s Senior Citizens Home, while all the members of the WAC will also receive tokens of appreciation.
Charles added that the WAC has also started promoting its works through appearances on several television stations in order to build awareness about the role the committee has played in women empowerment.
Deborah Short-Parker, Vice-Chairperson added that the WAC throughout its 78 years has been steadily empowering teachers and other women through various programmes.
Hazel Pyle-Lewis, WAC’s Trustee said that even as women continue to take up leadership roles in our society, the committee will continue to empower women throughout Guyana. She is advising female teachers to get involved in the committees within their region and make full use of the opportunities presented to them.
Field Officer, Lancelot Baptise spoke of the committee’s significant contribution to the GTU’s existence. He said that the women played their role and they must be recognised for it.
Among activities to be executed by the end of 2018, are the professional development of women-which includes how they should conduct themselves in and out of schools, conflict resolution programme, disaster preparedness, and symposiums dealing with first aid. Teachers will also be honoured during the annual Teacher’s Day activity.
By: Synieka Thorne.
Image: Jules Gibson.