‘Woman of Courage’, Zenita Nicholson is a ‘Special Person’

Mar 16, 2014 News

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 “I am being honoured for my courage but the truth is, I have no courage; not compared to those who inspired me to advocate for equality, human rights and dignity.”

The Oxford English Dictionary defines courage as “character which shows itself in facing danger undaunted or in acting despite fear or lack of confidence.” And it was just this trait that has been exhibited over the years by Zenita Nicholson that saw her on Thursday evening last being presented with the United States Embassy’s ‘International Woman of Courage’ Award.

At a ceremony held at the residence of Chargé d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, which was intended to coincide with the March 8 observance of International Women’s Day, it was disclosed that the Embassy has embarked on what he (Hunt) expects will be an annual tradition to annually recognise the work of a woman of courage.
And so for her role as a civil society activist, Nicholson was selected for the award since she “embodies the principles of women’s leadership on issues of global importance.”
In speaking glowingly of Nicholson’s activism, Hunt highlighted how she has been listed among the world’s women who have been “rolling up their sleeves for years…She has been committed to persevering and prevailing in her quest for equal rights for all people, whatever their gender or sexual orientation.”
In fact, according to the Chargé d’Affaires, Nicholson’s unwavering commitment to justice and equality has given hope to many, both in Guyana and throughout the Caribbean. He categorised her as not only courageous but as an individual with evident leadership qualities.
Currently, Nicholson holds the position of Country Coordinator of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC), which is a coalition of community leaders and non-governmental agencies providing services directly to, and on behalf of Caribbean populations, who are especially vulnerable to HIV infection or are often forgotten in access to treatment and healthcare programmes.

TOTAL DEDICATION
As a human rights advocate, she also has a place on the Board of Trustees for the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).
In fact, Hunt emphasised how it was Nicholson’s advocacy that allowed for a commitment from the Guyana Government to initiate a national dialogue on the discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activities.
“Building on that commitment she has been a visible and effective advocate with politicians, civil society groups, religious communities, and international donors to enlighten that dialogue and to press forward for immediate legislative changes and legal protections for LGBT persons,” Hunt amplified, ahead of presenting a plaque to Nicholson.

And so it is for her tireless advocacy work over the years, Nicholson is also being duly recognised in these pages as, not only a woman of courage and substance, but a ‘Special Person’.
Despite receiving the prestigious award, the young woman was especially humble as she expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment of her work. “I am being honoured for my courage but the truth is, I have no courage; not compared to those who inspired me to advocate for equality, human rights and dignity,” said Nicholson in a moving acceptance speech.
During an interview with this publication, she underscored that not only is it imperative for persons to find their calling, but to utilise it to its optimum.
“Each of us has our own calling or area that we want to work in…My advice is to get involved, help other people and through helping other people they will soon be able to find themselves and they will know their own value too.”
Dedication on Nicholson’s part was in fact fuelled “by ordinary people who dared to express themselves; by those whose lives are filled with violence, rejection, abuse and discrimination; those who are being denied their rights that many of us take for granted.”
She emphasised that her mission has been to contribute in a meaningful way to society, even to serve as a purposeful role model to young girls.
“It is very difficult for young girls, particularly with the normalisation of sexual objectification and ‘Eve teasing’…They have been engraved in our culture and have become acceptable, but they really are not acceptable,” Nicholson asserted.
She expressed worry over the fact that there are too many young girls today who feel compelled to change their appearances to fit into society, with some even seeking to lighten their skin, lengthen their eyelashes and having various bodily implants.
According to Nicholson while outer beauty is important “what is really important is inner beauty, which is a beauty that doesn’t age, and as it grows it carries you and it is something to appreciate”.

CURIOUS FOUNDATION
Although Nicholson was born and raised in Kingston, Georgetown, she recalls frequenting the Essequibo Coast where she had many memorable adventures as a child. She is the older of two children born to her parents.
Although lying in the grass and walking in the marshes are among the pastimes that she vividly remembers, she had even more intriguing times climbing mango trees and sitting there for hours just reading.
With a cunning smile, she recalled how she would plunge into the mighty Essequibo River and swim with the aid of a bucket, or simply overturn a canoe and float along. Even more intriguing among her adventures was when she would feel for fish in the river or set seine to catch piranhas simply to open their mouths and examine their teeth.
A blushing Nicholson even recounted drinking too much coconut water, so much so that her tummy would become visibly swollen.
But back in Georgetown she was subjected to a more focused approach with regards to her school work. She attended Sacred Heart Primary before moving on to Queen’s College to pursue her secondary education.
But all along there was no denying that the young Zenita was an exceptional human being; quite assertive in everything she endeavoured.
Moreover, it was no surprise that by the time she left school she was prepared to enter the world of work, taking up a position as a bank teller at the then National Bank of Industry and Commerce (NBIC). She would remain there performing admirably for nine years before daring to take on other portfolios in the private sector.
However, there was a burning desire within the blossoming young woman, from a rather young age, to do more, whereby she was contributing meaningfully to the wider society.  She had long recognised that she certainly couldn’t accomplish this goal by merely functioning as a banker.
She was soon introduced to the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) arena.

“That is where my life changed,” she calmly confided as she explained that “all along I just wasn’t satisfied with an 8 to 4 job, free on weekends, partying in the evenings; that didn’t give me satisfaction…It did nothing for me because it didn’t make me feel like I was contributing.”
Merundoi, an NGO spearheaded by veteran broadcaster, Margaret Lawrence, was in fact Nicholson’s first NGO affiliation.
“That was where I learnt about behaviour change, HIV, and a whole lot of things…and that was when the dormant dream really started to become a reality,” she intimated.
In addition to seeking to develop herself, while at the same time embracing a boosted self-esteem, Nicholson recalled how she was able to uncover her “true self.”
“Do you know sometimes people wear masks? I have done that a lot of times…You appear to be something but you are not; you are in fact something completely opposite – I have been there,” Nicholson said, as she reflected on having many strong mentors who helped her find herself.
She recalled people like Dereck Springer being there for her during a particularly difficult period of her life.
“At the time I didn’t believe in myself and he urged me to believe in myself…I saw how he believed in me and that ignited my fire again ,and I have always remembered that and it helps to drive me,” Nicholson said.

It is for this reason, she insisted, that her greatest achievement in her 35 years of existence, aside from the birth of her two children – Daria and Dimitri – has been helping others find their true self. And the journey in this direction, she emphasised, could start simply with “hello.” This has been the mode of operation that she has been embracing for many years in her quest to help those she daily stands in the gap for.

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