The achievements of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Kamecia Blake have been lauded by Barbadian Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner.{{more}}

Both women were a part of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Inter- American Commission of Women (CIM) Leadership seminar for young women, which took place at the Peace Memorial Hall on Monday, February 28, 2011.

Giving her presentation on political leaders and female leaders, Garner described Blake’s success story as phenomenal. “It’s phenomenal what you have done, … and I think your story needs to be told and told at a higher level,” Garner said, adding that the rest of the Caribbean needs to hear about Blake.

“To hear where you came from, to achieve what you have achieved, it tells me that women, we have tremendous capacity to overcome adversity,” Garner said.

Blake, a Forensic Psychologist in the RSVPF, during her presentation, gave details on her upbringing in a poor family, where her mother had to work as a timekeeper and water carrier at one point and also sold gasoline and ice to provide for her family. Blake stated that this humble upbringing made her who she is today.

Blake advised the young women in the audience not to make their current situation or past experience determine their future, but let their experiences motivate them to achieve more.

“Too many of us as young people feel sorry for ourselves, relish the pity of others and make excuses,” Blake said, adding that instead of making excuses, they should explore the opportunities that are presented to them. Referring to her mother, Blake stated that it was her determined and victorious mind set that brought her to where she is today, the owner of her own business.

Dr Kenneth Onu, Ophthalmologist and Motivational Speaker, also presenting at the event, encouraged the young women in the audience to motivate themselves to achieve their goals. Onu stated that the only person who is holding them back from where they want to go is themselves. He added that they should be creative in their goals to stand out in whatever they pursue.

“Conformity is mediocrity”, he emphasized.

He added that in order to be successful, they should follow the paths of persons who have become successful; interact with successful persons and ask them how they achieved their success. Onu also encouraged the women to overcome fear by confronting it.

The issue of women’s portrayal in the media was also discussed as Blake described the degradation of women through music. Blake expressed that it is her wish to see legislation that prohibits music that degrades women and promotes violence. Blake stated that negative music promotes negative minds and it contributes to the breakdown of social and moral values.

The leadership seminar was held under the theme “Empowering Young Women for Leadership” and was one of two events held on February 28, 2011, to commemorate the Day of the Women of the Americas which was celebrated on February 18, 2011. The other event was a panel discussion on “Women, Democracy and Leadership.”