News: Women Empowered World Wide in 2005 by Hyacinth Bennett on Hiyaah Power Radio
December 20, 2004 • By Lisa Bartley-Lacey, MA.
At the beginning of the year, Hiyaah Power Radio, will feature a history making political figure, Hyacinth Bennett, founder of Hydel Group of Schools in Jamaica. She will reveal how one may be fearless and speak the truth in the face of intimidation and disapproval. Ms. Bennett has recently spoken out about a subject that many feel should not be addressed in Jamaica. Ms. Bennett has shattered generations of silence and has broken taboos with her candid assessment of the status quo as it relates to women of color--dark color.
In 2002 when Bruce Golding resigned as head of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), Hyacinth Delores Bennett became the first Jamaican woman to head a Jamaican political party. After three years Ms. Bennett resigned as president of the NDM to carry out research and expand Hydel Group of Schools.
For the record, some have criticized and misrepresented Ms. Bennett and her motivation for resigning as president of the National Democratic Movement. Hyacinth Bennett, however, spoke for herself at the time of her resignation and she reiterates her position now. "I did not resign as the president of the political party because of the negative experiences," explains Ms. Bennett, "I believe to have done so would be tantamount to being a victim. When I resigned as political leader I explained that it was to carry out research and to expand Hydel Schools."
During a seminar last month, Ms. Bennett shared profound insights on her experience as a political leader in her recent speech entitled, "The Invisibility of the Black-Skinned Woman." In this address, Ms. Bennett reveals what she as a Black woman experienced within the political system. She also proclaims what she is committed to doing to empower and uplift the state of the Black woman in Jamaica and internationally. In her controversial and poignant address Ms. Bennett states:
"As I ponder the invisibility of the black-skinned woman and what can be done about it, I wish to state that:
When my time comes, I hope not to die from being silent on important issues such as the one at hand when I should, instead, be making my truths known, even in the midst of those who may experience surprise and hurt, in response.
I hope not to die accepting and smiling about issues which should solicit my rage instead.
I hope not to die believing the lies about my gender and my colour.
I do not wish to die from asphyxiation -- choking on secretly-held experiences of being a black-skinned woman who perpetuates her own misery by having lived in fear that she would somehow offend by standing up for herself.
I hope not to die from hiding my real feelings, as a black-skinned woman, allowing them to become hard and bitter.
I hope not to die from those lethal images of the so-called superiority of the brown or white woman and her accompanying straight nose and thin lips.
Most importantly, I hope that black men will be emancipated from the slavery of this model of beauty.
I will not die from being put down, ignored or abused.
I will not die accepting that I was born a victim, submitting to the will and whims of others. It is not uncommon for a black woman to be made to feel that she is inferior to the brown or white woman."
Ms. Bennett has broken a long standing unspoken rule of silence. Not many in Jamaica have commented candidly on discrimination based on gender and skin color before. The backlash Ms. Bennett has received for speaking boldly in the face of intimidation has been great. Ms. Bennett, however, refuses to be the victim of any individual, system or organization. She is a striking exemplification of how to be an empowered Black woman in a society which seldom validates the power, beauty, genius and greatness of the Black female. Ms. Bennett models how to be a powerful and authentic human being in the midst of adversity, sexism and discrimination.
Ms. Bennett, the fifth child of the ten children raised by Maude and Gerald Smith, founders of Cheltenham Baptist Church, founded the Hydel Group of Schools in Jamaica which consists of pre-school ; a preparatory school; a junior high, a senior high and sixth form. Ms. Bennett is also very proud of the fact that the private schools have been able to enroll some of Jamaica's poorest children tuition-free. Through the guidance of Ms. Bennett, an entire generation of young people continues to be educated, motivated and empowered to be future world wide leaders.
Due to Ms. Bennett's dedication to her mission and outspokenness, Hydel Group of Schools is generating international interest. This is very beneficial due to the fact that many Jamaican schools suffered substantial loss due to hurricane Ivan.
Jonathan Edison, M.Ed., of Edison SPEAKS International will travel to Jamaica during Black History Month to enhance fund-raising efforts and address Jamaican parents, teachers and students. The once poverty stricken Detroit City youth turned international Fortune 500 trainer, motivator and former Detroit Public Schools assistant principal, will share his insights and success-centered strategies on how to stay motivated and succeed in challenging times.
About Hiyaah Power Radio and Hiyaah Power, Inc.:
Hiyaah Power Radio hosted by CEO of Hiyaah Power, Niambi Jarvis and co-host LB Lacey, is an extension of Hiyaah Power, Inc. Hiyaah Power was created with the intent of empowering women and traditionally disadvantaged communities by providing access to networking, information via the Internet and traditional media outlets. Hiyaah Power presents the Hiyaah Power Radio show as one of various Hiyaah Power outlets platforms for powerful women, organizations and those who support women and their families. For more information on Hiyaah Power Radio guests, past shows and interview topics please visit
www.HiyaahPower.org.
Hiyaah Power, Inc., is a dynamic network of concerned women who share a mission to enhance, enrich and connect women with vital information necessary to operate from an empowered state. Hiyaah Power Inc., is a non-profit corporation created with the intent of empowering traditionally disadvantaged women and the communities they serve by providing access to information via information technology and traditional media outlets.
Hiyaah Power, Inc., has launch the "Lend Me Your Hand" program as a nation-wide campaign to raise funds, resources and in-kind donations for women and children in domestic violence shelters across the country. Domestic violence is a national epidemic costing the U.S. priceless lives and billions of dollars every year. All concerned individuals, organizations and/or companies are urged to support this worthy initiative. Visit www.HiyaahPower.org for more information or to make a donation to "Lend Me Your Hand".
