Renowned educator Magda Pollard will receive the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) Wordsworth McAndrew Lifetime Achievement Award when the GCA hosts its 2009 Folk Festival Awards ceremony in New York on September 2.
Other awardees at the annual event billed for the Rotunda of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, New York are Donna Ramsammy-James, former president Janet Jagan (posthumously) and Western Union. They will each receive the GCA award.
According to a press release from the GCA, the four honourees this year have made contributions to development and celebration of Guyanese fashion, food and art. “This year we recognize the altruism and achievements of individuals and the philanthropy of a business entity,” the release said.
It added that the honorees were selected from nominations by the Guyanese Diaspora and have demonstrated by their individual or entity’s action a sense of purpose in promoting Guyanese creativity and excellence. A committee evaluated each nomination considering relevant aspects of the GCA published selection criteria.
Pollard, who was bestowed with the fourth Caricom Triennial Award for Women in 1993, has had an illustrious career as an educator, author and administrator, the GCA noted. After graduation from university she spent a substantial part of her career as a lecturer and the Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics in Guyana. Attaining leadership positions in Guyana, across the Caribbean and in the United Nations permitted her to bring new insights to “strengthening relations between governments and non-governmental organizations.” Her dedication and exemplary contribution in “the movement for women’s empowerment” have led to better circumstances for the whole communities in which she worked.
GCA recognized Ramsammy-James as a choreographer, a designer, and international creative consultant who “celebrates and represents, the rich diversity of the Caribbean.” In places as diverse as Guyana, Montserrat, and Kenya she pursued her passions and displayed leadership: lead female dancer and choreographer in the Guyana National Dance Theatre Company and co-founded the National Dance Theatre Company of Montserrat. In Kenya, Ramsammy-James expanded her designing talent by melding cultural sensibilities. Her designer trademark is a distinctive fusion of African, Caribbean, Indian and Latin American influences. These features reflect the creativity and pride of heritage.
The organization noted that Jagan was responsible for converting Castellani House into the National Art Gallery, which provided an appropriate location to store the growing national collection that had been building over several decades. “Today, that venue is an active site with regular rotating exhibitions, film festivals, and other cultural events.” Jagan’s leadership has led to the establishment of “a cultural oasis—encouraging dialogue among painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, and the wider community, including school children.”
Meanwhile, Western Union is to receive its accolade for its philanthropic efforts which include “supporting cultural inclusion”. The company recognizes “the importance of helping individuals and families build strong communities, in which all members can contribute their distinctive talents and feel at home.” Guyana Folk Festival has witnessed Western Union demonstrate its corporate citizenship. In our experience it has been true and consistent to its value statement.
The GCA said attendance at the award ceremony is by invitation.
