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It's a deep dive into the history of an organization with roots that predate the nationalist ear. Jomarie Lanza attended the launch and here's what she learned.

The idea for a historical text which details the work of the YWCA over the years first began in 2020. And now four years later, the publication of the story of the Young Women's Christian Association in Belize has finally launched. It is authored by Lawrence Vernon, a retired librarian who compiled the history on the Y and its accomplishments and progress since its inception in 1956.

Lawrence Vernon, Retired Librarian
"I was approached by Ms Sonia Linarez three years ago wanting to document the history of the YWCA in Belize. And she said she had some archive all materials some files and what not that I can use in researching the history so she made those available to me and commissioned me to write the history of the YWCA. When I, as an author before, I was happy to do it and I like to see a librarian I like to see the literary input improved in Belize because it is very sparse. I think we need more people writing not only history but biographies and even short stories poems we need more literary people writing like that."

This project was made possible with support from the Ministry Of Human Development, whose minister spoke about how intrigued she was taken by the work of the Y.

Dolores Balderamos, Minister of Human development
"I think all the respect goes to the ladies of the Y. You know we don't even say YWCA anymore because once you see the Y everybody knows what you are talking. And I just want to say what a pleasure it is to be here to support the presentation of this publication called Woman Empowered To Lead Change. It is a history of the YWCA from 1956 to 2020."

"I have read it cover to cover. I love the documentation. I love the history. I love the names that have been put there so that I can go. Oh, I know that person. Like Ms Norma Sutherland, Lady Middleton we know these people, and we know that these women have contributed greatly. I also noticed that when the Y first started in 1956 with the then and the first president The Y in Belize was a lady named Winnie Ward. I think she was a British lady because we were in colonial times at that time but starting with her and then moving onto our various presidents and leaders all the Y we have had a very good history. I noticed when they first started one of the programs that they had in addition to the embroidery and the needle work on that kind of thing they had something called Maltese work. I had to ask Ms Sonia what that was and she said something like embroidery, but at that time it was something that was popular. it is not as popular now, but it sent me into the dictionary to look up what it means. And you learn something new every day. And as Mr. Yasser Musa of NICH said it is good to hold a book in your hand."