00:00Three female powerhouses were recognized and celebrated last evening by the International Women's Forum of TNT for their outstanding contributions
00:10in various fields from social activism to science to conservation.
00:15Because when we recognize the achievements of women, we do more than honor what they have accomplished. We make achievement
00:24visible. We make leadership visible. And perhaps most importantly, we make possibility visible to the women and girls who are
00:37watching.
00:37Taking home the emerging leader award was Ms. Diva Amon, a Caribbean marine biologist who recently led the first deep
00:46sea expedition in TNT's waters, a venture which yielded remarkable finds.
00:52Our recent expedition, which you heard about, the deep wonders of Trinan-Tobago, we discovered more than 20 new species,
00:59more than 25 new ecosystems, saw places that no one has ever seen before.
01:04It was really incredible. And I'm sure that as our analysis continues, we will find that that number of new
01:09species, I mean, species that are new to science, have never been seen on this planet.
01:14Okay. Thank you. As our analysis continues, that number will go up. And these animals that we're just uncovering have
01:25been here long before us.
01:26The 2026 IFWTT Inspirational Champion of Women Award went to Ms. Roberta Clark for her notable work in social justice
01:37and gender equality.
01:39In accepting the award, she took the opportunity to lobby.
01:44Yet I accept this award for what it symbolizes, a celebration of progress towards gender equality.
01:52Still, the journey continues, the work is incomplete. Too many women are unsafe in their homes and in the streets
02:00and in their everyday lives.
02:01So we must also secure women's body autonomy, insist on dignity in work, and recognize and redistribute care responsibilities.
02:11Meantime, Professor of Molecular Genetics and Virology at UWE, Christine Carrington, was recognized for a lifetime work,
02:19including developing and leading the COVID-19 impact project.
02:23I and my team did research and trained others in molecular things like molecular epidemiology, virus evolution,
02:31big words like phylogenetics, genomics, bioinformatics, work that many considered very, very far removed from practical needs.
02:41And then came COVID-19, and suddenly it was all essential.
02:47I thank the UWI, as you heard, my childhood playground and my workplace since 1996,
02:54and also my funders for the platform that made it all possible.
02:59And most importantly, to all my research students, postdocs, technicians, who were the backbone of that response.
03:07You are my proudest legacy.
03:09Special mention was made of founding members Dr. Patricia Elder and Mrs. Lucille Mayer, who have both passed on.
03:18This year's awards were held under the theme, The Power of Possibility,
03:22celebrating five years of women who inspire change.
03:26One Caribbean Media was the official media sponsor for the event.
03:31Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
