Some of Bermuda's most powerful, successful and influential females have been announced as the recipients of the 2009 Bermuda International Women's Leadership Awards.

They include former Premiers Dame Jennifer Smith and Pamela Gordon, and current Deputy Premier Paula Cox, as well as the late Dame Lois-Browne Evans Bermuda's first female barrister and Opposition leader.

Other politicians recognised are Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Neletha Butterfield and Shadow Minister for Health and Seniors, Louise Jackson. In addition, awards will go to Barbara Ball, who was the first female physician to practice in Bermuda and went on to leadership positions within the Bermuda Industrial Union and Progressive Labour Party, and historian, author and race activist Eva Hodgson.

The awards were set up as part of the celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary, and aim to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Bermuda's women on an international scale over the past 400 years.

Organiser Keetha Lowe explained: "We looked at the landscape of women across the community who have had a major impact either overtly or covertly over the course of the years. We thought it was most appropriate to honour the women who have opened doors, laid foundations and built bridges for us to cross."

The awards will be handed out at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Southampton Princess resort on Friday evening. The event is part of a two-day summit hosted by the Women's Integrated Network entitled 'Navigating Success, Keep Rising'. The additional award recipients are Cindy Trimm, Ruth Thomas, Pamela Ferreira, Diana Kempe, Hillary Soares, Merle Brock Swan-Williams, Michelle St. Jane, Jean Charles, Fern Wade and Sandy Butterfield.

Dame Jennifer Smith said of her award: "I am honoured to have been selected. The Bermuda International Women's Leadership 400th celebration list of recipients clearly demonstrates that females in Bermuda have a plethora of role models from every sphere to emulate. Women of all ages should be empowered and motivated by their lives."

Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox said: "I thank those who are responsible for bestowing this honour and single out in particular the organisers of this 2009 Bermuda International Women's Leadership Summit."

Ms Cox said she felt that she was in "very good company" when she read the list of her fellow awardees, and went on to pay tribute to her mother, who died recently. She told The Royal Gazette: "No man or woman is an island. Accordingly, I receive such an award as a result of the cumulative effort of many divas and warrior-queens who have gone before me and helped to pave the way. I especially single out at this time my mother, F. Alinda Cox, JP, who was a role model extraordinaire for me. She was a lady, a leader and a woman of substance who did not suffer fools or foolishness gladly and who passionately believed not just in me and my abilities but in my brothers Jeremy Eugene and Robert Ashton and in the children of Bermuda.

"So in acknowledging the announcement that I am to receive any award I salute the memory of my late mother and other female forbears who paved the way as trailblazers for today's women in whatever sphere we choose to operate, whether political, philanthropic, professional and those with spiritual gifts."

Shadow Minister Louise Jackson said: "I am indeed honoured and proud to be presented an award by the Bermuda International Women's Leadership Summit. It was through the efforts and support of strong women and organisations dedicated to helping women achieve personal and professional goals that I achieved many of my goals. I salute women who are giving a 'hand up' to other women as this organisation is doing.

"I owe my success to so many women; my mother, grandmother, aunts, teachers, Sunday school teachers, employers, colleagues, and total strangers who provided leadership and advice which helped me to 'navigate success' and 'keep rising'. I can only hope to inspire and give a hand up to others as I have been blessed to be supported by so many."

l For full information, visit the website, www.navigatingsuccess.com.