Dame Billie Antoinette Miller`s 30 year contribution to the Caribbean as a senior public servant will be recognized at the Caribbean Tourism Organization`s (CTO)…
Dame Billie Antoinette Miller`s 30 year contribution to the Caribbean as a senior public servant will be recognized at the Caribbean Tourism Organization`s (CTO) 33rd Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball through the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, CTO`s most esteemed honor, on Friday, June 16, 2006 at the Waldorf=Astoria.
Dame Billie Miller`s contribution and dedication to tourism has positively affected both her home country of Barbados and the entire Caribbean region, said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of CTO. Her commitment is truly honorable and we are pleased to present her with this prestigious award, he added.
Dame Billie Miller`s distinguished political career began in 1976 when she was elected Member of Parliament for the City of Bridgetown. That same year she was named Minister of Health and National Insurance and was the first woman to sit in the Cabinet of Barbados.
Throughout her 30-year political career, Dame Billie Miller has held many senior offices, including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Culture, Leader of the Opposition, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Business.
Currently, she is the President of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Parliamentary Group on Population and Development for the Caribbean and Latin American and was appointed the Coordinator of CARICOM Ministerial Spokespersons in 2002, responsible for external negotiations. Dame Billie Miller is also a member of the Barbados Family Planning Association, the Barbados National Trust, and the Barbados Museum and Historical Society.
In 1997 she devoted her time to heading the affairs of regional tourism, becoming the first woman Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, a position she held for two years.
CTO`s Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to Caribbean tourism. Previous beneficiaries of this esteemed award include Harry Belafonte, Sir Sidney Poitier, Cicely Tyson, Earl Graves, New York Congressman Charles Rangel, Professor Carlos Diago and Jean Holder, former secretary general of CTO.
Governments of the Caribbean State Ball – A Culmination of Caribbean Week
The 33rd Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball, which takes places at the Waldorf-Astoria, is the most celebrated event of Caribbean Week 2006, a weeklong exposition taking place from June 10-17, 2006. The best of the Caribbean`s carnivals, regattas, arts and entertainment, foods and flowers will highlight this black-tie gala themed Festivals of the Caribbean.
Government leaders and diplomats, private sector travel and hospitality professionals from all over the Caribbean and the marketplace, a significant number of members of the media and celebrities from the United States and beyond attend the Ball to celebrate the life and rich culture of the Caribbean.
The Ball is staged annually to raise funds for the CTO Foundation, which provides academic scholarships in tourism-related areas of study.
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