Over the past week, the social landscape of Bermuda has been vastly redefined.

We all know the minute details of what led to the three-day work stoppage and occupation of Cabinet grounds. We all know of the insulting remarks made towards the workers of Bermuda by those who were elected.

For many on the ground for those days, they witnessed the growth of strength that can never be broken, curtailed or stopped.

This strength stood in Union Square at 9am on Monday. This strength held hands as the power of prayer passed from one to another. This strength listened intently as the details were read out.

Once those details were heard, this strength knew there was only one way to flow. By their tens, by their hundreds, by their thousands they began the journey towards destiny.

With determination towards a solution, they assembled on the lush lawns of Front Street. They stood in the sun. They stood in the wind. They stood in the cold. They stood in the rain. They stood in the day. They stood in the night.

They never wavered from their goal of demanding their rights.

Others may have thought the situation bleak, but not them, as they prepared themselves to be encamped for the week.

They brought seats, blankets and scarves. They packed water in bottles and food in jars. They huddled and hunkered down.

Thousands of them occupied Cabinet grounds. They brought their children and told them this was living history so they would never have to hear His-Story. They comforted each other, held hands and reassured each other.

Some did this 34 years ago and felt a sense of pride viewing the people of Bermuda standing together in unfriendly weather.

They took pride in seeing the younger generation carrying on their legacy — 5,000-strong taking up the civil rights baton.

But who are they? They are teachers, office workers, retirees, those who stayed at home to cook food to send to the masses, those who handed out sandwiches, those who did the “war dance” with the Gombey drums. They are the women of Bermuda who came out over the past three days of #occupycabinet.

I thank the women of Bermuda, who have been instrumental in the fight for equality. There are too many to name but I will do my best:

• Dame Jennifer Smith;

• Dame Lois Browne-Evans;

• Ms Paula Cox CBE;

• Sister Berkeley;

• Sister Betty Christopher;

• Sister Dorothy Thompson;

• Sister Dr Barbara Ball;

• Sister Laverne Furbert;

• Sister Lilith Bailey;

• Sister Lloquita Symonds;

• Sister Molly Burgess;

• Sister Renee Jones;

• Sister Ronnie Burgess.

Thank you to the thousands of Bermudian women of every age and demographic who stood their grounds during #occupycabinet.

It was heart-warming and brought tears to our eyes to have your support and encouragement this week. You have helped to write history, or should I say “her-story”.

“I know you’ve got a lot of strength left; I know you’ve got a little life in you yet; I know you’ve got a lot of strength left.” — This Woman’s Work, Maxwell.