Wife of the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Lady Allen, has called on women in leadership to pave the way for others, by mentoring other women, so that they too can break through their own glass ceilings.
Lady Allen was guest speaker at the opening of the Women In Leadership Conference of the Inter-American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA), on February 9, at the Wyndham Hotel, in Miami, United States.
In her address to nearly 200 delegates, Lady Allen emphasised that leadership is more than succeeding.
Speaking to the theme: ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling’, Lady Allen said that women have always assumed leadership roles throughout history, pointing to their roles in their families, churches, workplaces, and in their respective communities. “It is up to us as leaders to model and demonstrate the possible; to advocate for equal opportunities and to dissuade other women of the myths that foster their acceptance of mediocrity,” she added.
Citing the fear factor, Lady Allen told her audience that sometimes self-imposed glass ceilings were created, “allowing us to be apprehensive about circumstances in our daily encounters and experiences.”
Lady Allen said that self-empowerment and success could be achieved through Christian leadership, which she also described as a model for success.
To this end, she encouraged her audience to use the three-day Summit to observe the glass ceiling from a Christian perspective – strength of self-mastery, which she described as self belief; strength of action – setting goals and sticking to the mission; and strength of relationships, which she encouraged in homes, as well as encouraging, mentoring and empowering others, and giving of time and service.
Highlight of the ceremony was a Parade of Nations by participants representing some 30 countries from North America, as well as Central and Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Vice President of the Inter-American Division of the SDA, Pastor Leon Wellington, in his remarks, also underscored the significant contribution of women in leadership roles.
He also congratulated the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, on behalf of the Seventh-Day Adventists community, on their appointment to the role of leadership in Jamaica.
The Conference was officially opened by Director of Women’s and Children’s Ministries in the SDA, Dr. Gloria Trotman.