socially responsible.

The member for Devonshire North was speaking at the fifth annual banquet and awards night of the National Association for Reconciliation at the Belmont Hotel on Saturday night.

Recalling her own childhood days, Mrs. Browne Evans said that, while growing up in Pembroke, there were plenty of powerful and influential black people guiding her.

But as she grew up and moved from her own parish she began to realise that there were things wrong in society.

"You understand injustice and you change,'' she said.

"One of the good things is that I became socialised. I adopted the philosophy that we are all one race and people should help each other and work for the benefit of each other.

"But social responsibility and justice seems to beg the question "Are there any rewards?'' and we must say to our young people that the rewards will not come in the form of tangible assets but in a more personal way.

"You will be able to look yourself in the mirror and respect yourself.'' The former PLP leader also paid tribute to the NAR.

"Had I not become politicised and sought to change society through the political process then I would have joined an organisation such as this,'' she said.

At the banquet student Rachel Dill picked up the Richards Minors Scholarship award -- winning a cheque to pay for fees at Bermuda College, after writing an essay on social responsibility.

The award was accepted by her brother Nathan.