The Zambia Women of the Year Awards (ZWYA) has been running on the eve of International Women’s Day every year since 2014. The awards are organized by ZWYA committee under the umbrella of Afro Multi Media Productions. The awards are a celebration of Zambian women achievers (and others) which seek to not only highlight the achievements, but to also bring together women from all walks of life to come and celebrate, inspire and encourage one another. The awards have seen both young upcoming and older more experienced women being awarded and recognized for their achievements across sectors. Through this platform, more women have been identified as achievers in their respective disciplines and communities.
This was certainly the situation with the 2019 awards with recipients ranging from the age of 20 years to 86 years. The disciplines/sectors that were recognized covered the whole gambit of social and professional life -education, health, music, film, mining, engineering, sport, entrepreneurship to name but a few.
You may be wondering what this has to do with us as RSCs. The 86 year old who was honored and awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award was none other than Sr. Kieran Monahan for her contribution to life in Zambia since the early 1970s. The celebration was held in the Intercontinental Hotel and Sr. Kieran was accompanied by members of the communities residing or visiting in Lusaka together with many of her past pupils (members of the Ex Roma Girls Association EROGA). In her acceptance speech she acknowledged that she was speechless, something that does not happen to her often. She thanked all the past pupils and present pupils for keeping her young at heart even though age is catching up on her, for challenging her and helping her grow. The excitement was palpable and when she mentioned her age the whole house stood to give her a standing ovation.
Receiving this award is a great honor for Sr. Kieran but also for us as Region and Congregation. We congratulate her and wish her continued health.
