Maingot, de Rosia being recognised by International Women’s Forum

The International Women’s Forum Trinidad and Tobago (IWFTT) is set to honour four remarkable women at its third annual Inspirational Women Awards Gala on September 17. This prestigious event, to be held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, marks a significant milestone as IWFTT commemorates its tenth anniversary.
In recognition of this special occasion, the organisation has introduced a new accolade: the Inspirational Legacy Award. The inaugural recipient of this honour is Rhonda Maingot, co-founder of the Living Water Community. Maingot’s nearly five-decade-long commitment to serving the needy in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean has left an indelible mark on the national landscape. Her extensive outreach includes shelters, rehabilitation centres, and programmes for various vulnerable groups.
The Inspirational Champion of Women Award will be presented to Deborah de Rosia, director of four non-profits dedicated to creating opportunities through education and vocational training.
De Rosia’s initiatives include founding the Eternal Light Community Vocational School and establishing facilities that provide care and shelter for battered women, children, and the elderly.
Professor Judith Gobin, the first female Professor of Life Sciences at the University of the West Indies, will receive the Inspirational Advocate Award. Her significant contributions to marine biology and environmental advocacy in the Caribbean, including her role in the 2023 historic ocean protection treaty, have earned her this recognition.
The Inspirational Emerging Leader Award will go to Akosua Dardaine-Edwards, founder of the NiNa Foundation. Her organisation supports girls and young women transitioning from the St Jude’s School, empowering them with resilience, leadership skills, and employment opportunities.
These four women join a distinguished group of past honourees, including former First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali, attorney Lynette Seebaran-Suite, and UWI Professor Emerita Rhoda Reddock, among others.
The IWFTT Inspirational Women Awards programme has garnered significant support from Trinidad and Tobago’s corporate sector. Major banks such as Republic Bank Limited and First Citizens Bank have shown their commitment to women’s advancement through platinum sponsorship for the second consecutive year.
As part of the global International Women’s Forum network, IWFTT aims to recognise, celebrate, and connect accomplished women leaders while fostering the growth of the next generation of female trailblazers.