by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Fri. Mar. 21, 2025
The National Women’s Commission (NWC) held its 20th Annual Outstanding Women’s Award Ceremony on Thursday, March 20, by recognizing fourteen Belizean women, in honor of Women’s Month which is celebrated annually in March.
This year’s award ceremony falls under the theme, “Accelerating Action: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for all Women and Girls,” and the NWC honored women in various professional fields in Belize ranging from law enforcement officers to educators and other sectors.
“The Outstanding Women’s Award has been going on for 20 years and so, during Women’s Month, we honor women across the country in specific fields using the Beijing Platform for Action. We have 14 ladies who will be awarded here this morning, as I said, from a wide range of backgrounds; and it’s a part of the empowerment [and] a part of celebrating the achievement of women in Belize,” said Eleanor Murillo, Executive Director of NWC.
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“We have women who do a lot behind the scenes. They don’t do it for clout; they don’t do it for recognition; they don’t do it for money. Many have regular jobs and do extra behind the scenes, working with different organizations to support communities, especially women; so we think it is fitting that these women from across the country are recognized,” she added.
The following women were awarded: Isabel Bennet Moody (Women in Power and Decision Making); Carmelita Perez (Women in the Media); Dr. Elma Kay (Women and the Environment); Cynthia Williams (Human Rights of Women); Linkeisha Martinez (The Girl Child); Corporal Carmella Cacho (Women in Uniformed Services); Marciela Assi (Education and Training of Women); Dorla Bowman (Human Rights & Violence against Women); Katia Montenegro Hoare (Women and the Economy); Dassia Regaldo (Women and the Environment); Carlette Gentle (Women and the Economy); Inspector Hortence Matilda Lopez (Women in Uniformed Services); Dr. Golda Mejia (Women and Health); and Beverly Lemoine-Gutierrez (Women and Poverty).
The event took place at the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.