Living version of International Women’s Day map celebrates multiculturalism

Tuesday 20 July 2021

Almost 50 Guernsey residents from around the world came together to create a real-life giant version of Women in Public Life’s International Women’s Day map on the lawns of Government House.

The Lieutenant-Governor hosted the reception to celebrate the campaign which filled an online map of Guernsey with 51 flags back in March, each one representing a woman in public life from the home country or island of a Guernsey resident.

A special presentation was made at the reception to Dr Nicola Brink to recognise the number of nominations she received and the iconic status she has achieved in her adopted home of Guernsey.

Dr Padmavathy Bandopadhyay, India’s first female Air Marshal, was the choice of Naga Lakshmi Nandiboyina, who works as a Financial Risk Manager.

"I really enjoyed finding out more about Dr Bandopadhyay for my nomination, and hers was an inspiring story for my children as well," she said. "This has been a great event – and there are so many opportunities for women to play a role in public life in Guernsey."

A beautiful moment celebrating so many remarkable diverse, smart, empathic and beautiful women here in our Bailiwick with @womenpubliclife at @GvHouseGuernsey last week.

Further inforamtion of how to get involved here: https://t.co/BdyWpypIce pic.twitter.com/Q2dWLlwQ3H

— Jackson Chambers Photography (@PaulWChambers70) July 19, 2021

Ghazaleh Maunder from Iran nominated a brilliant mathematician, Maryam Mirzakhani, for the online map. "It was a great event, and I really enjoyed meeting quite a few lovely ladies from other countries around the world," said Mrs Maunder. 

Anna-Lisa Detassis, Owner of Accent Language School, nominated Italian politician Emma Bonino. She said the event was a wonderful celebration of diversity and multiculturalism in island life. 

"It’s great to be here this evening and it’s so important to have more women from different nationalities involved in public life in Guernsey. Life is busy for me, but a role in public life is something I would definitely consider in the future."

Women in Public Life Committee Member Linda Rolf said: "It was a magical evening and a true celebration of the diversity of Guernsey and the achievements of women in public life.

"We are very grateful to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor for hosting this reception and for the great things he said about the importance of diversity in public life.’

The final version of the map is available HERE.

Pictured top: Islanders hold up their flags for the re-creation of the International Women’s day map.