From left (standing): Gender Affairs Coordinator, Ms Patricia Hackett; Governor John J. Rankin, CMG, and Chief of Staff at the Governor’s Office, Mrs Geraldine Ritter Freeman. Sitting from left: Ms D’Andra Lewis, who is a Boat Captain and the Managing Director of Hidden Points Charter Services; Ms Brianna Brewley, who works at Autland Heavy Equipment Company, where she operates the machinery; and Ms Nia Davies, who has completed her Associate Degrees in Surveying, Architecture and Construction. Photo: GIS

To mark the occasion, the Governor accompanied by Chief of Staff at the Governor’s Office, Mrs Geraldine Ritter Freeman, and Gender Affairs Coordinator, Ms Patricia Hackett, met three motivated young women who are in, or seeking to be, in careers that are often considered male-dominated.

They are Ms Brianna Brewley, age 26 years, who works at Autland Heavy Equipment Company, where she operates the machinery, Ms D’Andra Lewis, age 26 years, who is a Boat Captain and the Managing Director of Hidden Points Charter Services, and Ms Nia Davies, age 19 years, who has completed her Associate Degrees in Surveying, Architecture and Construction.

The aim of the meeting was to understand how they arrived in their respective professions, the challenges they face, and what more could be done to support other girls in the future.

His Excellency Governor John J. Rankin, CMG said, "It is a privilege to meet inspiring young women and celebrate them as they continue to break barriers and encourage the next generation of girls. Achieving gender equality is integral to resilient economies and strong, free societies – it is the right and smart thing to do."

Ms Patricia Hackett said “I’m very proud of these young women and commended them for choosing male-dominated skills, something that was unheard of many decades ago in the Caribbean. If we are to achieve gender equality, girls and women need to enjoy the same opportunities as men and boys in terms of career choices and education. Office of Gender Affairs will endeavour to play a pivotal role in promoting and encouraging more young women to choose non-traditional skills in the BVI. Mentoring young women would augur well in going forward”.