By Anesta Henry
The Girl Guides Association of Barbados held its annual thanksgiving service today.
This year, the special service, held at the Cathedral of Saint Michael and All Angels, The City, observed the Association's 100 anniversary.
Governor General Dame Sandra Mason was present for the special service which was also attended by scores of Blossoms, Brownies, Guiders, Rangers, and Leaders, along with parents and friends of the Association.
Chief Commissioner of the Association, Nadia Skeete, who delivered remarks, said the Girl Guides has made significant progress over the 100 years it has been in existence in Barbados, contributing to shaping the lives of many women in society, through developing, empowering, and enabling girls and young women to become responsible, productive and outstanding Barbadians, and ultimately global citizens.
"We have so much to be thankful for as an Association and with our actual anniversary date having gone, we are truly ready to engage in our year of celebrations. Yes, we are only just beginning," she said.
The Chief Commissioner indicated that during the coming year, and beyond, the association will continue to reflect on how and why, it has managed to get this far, and how and what is needed to be done to reach the next century.
"So today, we want to take the time as an association to thank everyone who has helped us on this journey thus far," Commissioner Skeete said.
In delivering the sermon, Reverend Beverley Sealy-Knight, congratulated the association for reaching the milestone, and noted that she is sure the members and those associated with it, are proud about the accomplishment.
Reverend Sealy-Knight, who reflected on her years as a young member of the association while at school, said the local Girl Guides chapter has molded the minds of many girls who have gone on to do exceptional things in life.
"Many of these things have been recorded in the newspapers, and many have been recorded in the hearts of people who have been touched and changed by encounters with the brown and blue," she said.
"Being a brownie really inspired me in believing that all girls have value and can take action in the world. I was excited by the idea that I had potential and that I had the ability to make a difference wherever I went.
"So, my confidence began to grown slowly, but surely. I knew from then what I wanted to become. It was there and then I knew what person I want to become." she added.
The Reverend alluded to the fact that in many instances in today's world, standards are dropping. However, she urged the young women not to allow their standards to drop, or to be fooled into thinking that it is a waste of time trying to be good, truthful, or sincere.
"So our lives are always about being prepared. We are to be prepared to witness, we are to be prepared for action, to speak and to act, to excel at doing what is right. My prayer then is, that God will always be your guide and your friend, that he will strengthen you, and empower you, and help you in your decision-making, and fill you with joy as you seek to serve him and your maker," Reverend Sealy-Knight said.
Brownie Zarena Gaskin of the 42nd Brownie Unit, delivered a musical presentation, while a dance presentation was rendered by the Brownies from the St Silas Primary School.
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