thebahamasweekly.com - Bahamas 2013: A Year in Review with Ashleigh Rolle

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Bahamas 2013: A Year in Review with Ashleigh Rolle
Jan 3, 2014 - 4:23:05 PM

Ashleigh Rolle feels the most influential person of 2013 to me was Loretta Butler Turner.

TheBahamasWeekly.com has once again selected Bahamians to canvas their opinions on highlights of The Bahamas over the year 2013, as well as ask about the direction of the country. Their comments will be shared over the coming weeks.

Through this exchange we hope to also highlight Bahamians in our community, and share their personal triumphs, that may or may not have made the news.

Here is the opinion of Ashleigh Rolle:

1) What event do you feel was the most important for The Bahamas in 2013?

The Gaming Referendum was probably the most important event of the year. It showed that when ready, Bahamians can and will rally behind a cause and fight for what it is they believe in.

2) Who passed away this year that you feel will be 'most missed' and why?

Nelson Mandela. Very few people realize or remember the link that Madiba has to The Bahamas. The Bahamas played a pivotal role in his release from prison. Seeing as Sir Lynden Pindling was one of the very first world leaders to speak out against Mandela's incarceration I think the final link between one of the very rare good leaders of the past and average leaders of this present day and age has finally vanished, leaving in its wake a pressure for the millennials to do better.

3) Who was the 'most inspirational / influential Bahamian' in 2013 and why?

The most influential person of 2013 to me was Loretta Butler Turner. Despite the jeers that are constantly thrown at her in what has blatantly turned into the misogynistic environment known as the House of Assembly, she was able to stand her ground, speak her mind, and represent not just her constituency, but the Bahamian woman as a whole. I think that is something that needs to be applauded.

4) 2013 was the country's 40th anniversary of Independence. What stood out for you in way of commemorating this event?

I was fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling in 2013 and the one thing that stood out most to me was the fact that I saw many Bahamians on my journeys. For such a small country, and in such a small amount of time, The Bahamas has been able to integrate itself and it's people and compete on international stages. It made me realize how far we've actually come in the past 40 years.

5) 2013 may have been one of the worst years ever for crime in The Bahamas. What are your thoughts and suggestions?

There are so many reasons I can give as it relates to the war on crime. One can argue that it's a grassroots issue and others can say it's a blatant reflection of the massive unemployment rate both arguments would undoubtedly be spot on, but what I do know however is that our judicial system should start persecuting criminals to the fullest extent of the law because in no country should a murderer or rapist be able to walk out on bail when a mother of three charged for petty assault is forced to sit behind bars for a year.

6) Is there an 'unsung hero' you feel should be recognized from 2013 or prior? If so, who and why?

Gaynor Rolle of the Department of Education. She is a woman that goes above and beyond for not only her department but the civil service as a whole. I think we should start commemorating various civil service workers who work behind the scenes in an effort to contribute to society at large.

7) Do you have a Personal Highlight for 2013?

A major highlight for me in 2013 was being able to perform in a musical at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland for dignitaries such as Mikhail Gorbachev and artists like Cat Stevens as part of an international cast.

As a One Young World and Global Dignity Ambassador, Ashleigh Rolle has learned a great deal in her travels. As a Bahamian native, Ashleigh found herself immersed in her country' politics and finance; she spent her summers working closely with the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, the Ministry of Education and the distinguished Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Ashleigh took the time to travel to various countries with the goal of promoting global dignity. This message was in sync with her national anti-bullying campaigns within the Bahamas. Ashleigh has also recently become a contributor for the distinguished online news platform the Huffington Post. Read her first article HERE. As a lover of life and a true comic at heart, Ashleigh lives by the words of Dr. Seuss “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of TheBahamasWeekly.com

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