PHILIPSBURG--Women have played and continue to play a tremendous role in our society and for this reason, among countless other reasons, they need to be applauded for their efforts, Democratic Party (DP) leader Island Councilwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams said in her message to commemorate International Women's Day, today, Monday.

"So vast have been their contributions, that it has been deemed relevant to annually reserve a day in their honour," she said, adding that women continue to be the "cornerstones of our society," but many never receive public recognition.

These "cornerstones" include women lawyers, politicians, doctors, teachers, nurses, police/immigration officers, church leaders, accountants, pharmacists, government workers, fire fighters, auxiliary workers, housewives and especially women who assume the role of mother and father in their children's lives.

The "Creation Story" points to the importance of women as it teaches that since the beginning of time, it was necessary for the creation of women, perhaps owing to their ability to successfully deal with numerous tasks that have resulted in "equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all" – the theme of Women's Day, she said.

Wescot-Williams also made special mention of women in St. Maarten who have made immeasurable contribution and who are leaders in their own right with the ability to influence generations.

On behalf of DP, she applauded the efforts of renowned poet and artist, Ruby Bute, University of St. Martin President Josianne Fleming, Windward Islands Teachers' Union President Claire Elshot, Island Secretary Joane Dovale-Meit, Acting Lt. Governor Millicent de Weever, Jadira Veen of Pride Foundation, First Lady Angela Richards for her work with Childfest , Dr. Judith Arnell of Ujima, Sundial School Director Mireille Peterson-Regales, Head of St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Regina Labega, Sector Directors Claudette Forsythe and Jorien Wuite, and Gracita Arrindell of Peridot Foundation.

"In recounting the contributions of women, perhaps we should journey into history, where we are sure to notice women of distinction whose contributions have aided in what we term equality in our modern society," Wescot-Williams said.

"We are sure to see Harriet Tubman (Moses of her people) who, during the American Civil war, served as scout and spy. She ultimately mobilised many slaves to escape the horrors of slavery by using the Underground Rail Road," she said.

Along the path, Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of the National Council of Women, can be found. "She, a firm believer in education as a path to racial equality, focused on vocational education and social activism and became a worldwide public figure," Wescot-Williams pointed out.

In 1936, President Roosevelt appointed McLeod Bethune as director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration. She also served as a consultant to the United Nations, was honoured in Haiti and Liberia and was a vice president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Later, women become observers of the courage and strength displayed by Rosa Parks, a civil rights icon, who boldly rebelled against the racism era by refusing to surrender her seat to a white man on a public bus. This led to an organised boycott of the city-owned bus company for 382 days. The action ultimately caused the Supreme Court to strike down the Montgomery ordinance under which Parks had been fined, and outlawed racial segregation on public transportation.

Mother Theresa had also displayed compassion in execution of many charitable acts that are continued today by her order "The Missionaries of Charity," primarily tasked with giving love and caring for people no one wants to look after.

Wescot-Williams continued: "Coming closer to our time, we cannot help but to recognise the tremendous impact, in the region and the world at large, talk show host Oprah Winfrey has made through her popular television programmes and many donations to charitable efforts.

"Looking within our own Caribbean region, we see several trailblazing women Prime Ministers, with the Netherlands Antilles at the forefront, and Jamaica's first, Portia Simpson Miller, just to mention a few," she said.