Dominica’s “Lady of Song”, Ophelia, is among several female artistes from the region who have been honoured for their contribution to the development of regional music.
The University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Institute for Gender and Development Studies(IGDS), Cave Hill Campus, on Thursday, March 8, 2012, celebrated the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day with an award ceremony for women who have contributed to the development of the calypso, chutney, zouk and soca art forms.
Ophelia’s contribution to the development of regional music, particularly cadence (the origin of zouk), is well known, ever since she burst onto the music scene in 1979 with her popular hit “Aie Dominique”. When the record was released, it immediately became a hit in Guadeloupe and Martinique although this was towards the end of the dominance of Dominican music in the French West Indies.
Ophelia has so far recorded 16 albums and according to her husband-manager, McCarthy Marie, her latest CD, SELEBWASYON, “is proving to be a smash particularly since the release of the Video for the track “Move it” which features the POM Kannel dancers from Martinique”.
During her 33-year musical career, Ophelia has won many awards – The Maracas D’or in Paris, the national award, the Sisserou Medal of Honour and the Caribbean Cultural Icon award from the CARIFESTA committee – the only person to be awarded in the musical field.
Of all the awards she has received, Ophelia says the one she most cherishes is her Lifetime Achievement Award from Performing Rights Organization, Sacem, in Martinique.
The list of female performers who were recognized by the UWI Institute for Gender and Development Studies, included 35 awardees from eight English-speaking Caribbean countries.
Trinidad and Tobago took the lion’s share of the awards; among its recipients, calypso legend, McCartha Linda Sandy-Lewis, better known as Calypso Rose.
A release from the UWI IGDS, Cave Hill Campus states “These female artistes span a period of over 30 years, an era in our musical history which represents the development and rise of a cadre of women who went on to make their mark on the international stage and contributed to the popularity and changing face of Caribbean music.”
Big up Dominica’s first singing bird Ophelia.
teach them young girls there are women who can sing without being naked.you are a perfect example.we love you in martinique.good job.tu es toujours toi meme.naturelle.femme forte,solide et determinee.beaucoup de respect ma soeur.chante nou encore une chanson d’amour.
Congratulations to Our Lady of Song! We are proud of you!
Love you and love your music Miss Ophelia! Congratulations!
Congratulations.
congratulation my lady of song.u have made it jah bless.
congratulation to u my lady of song,u mean so much to me,you have made it.
Great!! Congratulations!!
Congratulations Ophelia!
I have always admired this woman, who seem to carry herself with such class… and represents her country with such grace. I have been proud to claim you as one of my country’s most original and sincere artist. You have always been a fresh cool breeze blowing in this land. Thank you Ophelia for you continue to make yourself, and Dominica by extension proud.
May God richly bless our lady of Song. Ophie has been flying Dominica’s flag far and wide. She deserves all her accolades and tributes. Is Ophie an cultural ambasador for Dominica? if Yes congrates. If not, what’s keeping those in power from recognizing that Ophie is an international lady who is naturally gifted by God, and she is able with the necessary assistance to promote Da as she normally says.. Anything lower than appointing Ophie as cultural ambassador is unacceptable and pitiful. One should also have Ophie Push the national culture and so forth… Please make full use of the national heroes whilst they are alive. Ophie is indeed a blessed and humble lady who never says no to the poor and those who are down trodden. I think Dominicans should travel around and listen to caribbean folks talking to the lady of song from Dominica. Ophie can hand any artists around the world without any doubt. Please appoint Ophie as a cultural ambassador for Dominica……… Give her her flowers now rather than when she is dead like our great heroes who only receive official funerals and then vanish with the winds… Long live Ophie. You are an authentic Dominican. Who God bless nobody Curse.
As far as I can recall Ophelia worked for the Ministry of Tourism for a while. You know these jobs are political and when the party went out she was released from her duties. It is a shame that she was not allowed to continue her job! Hopefully that will change in the near future because Ophelia is quite capable of performing the duties of ambassador of Dominica! God bless her!
Well, let me put it in song;
Point Michel girls are de best, SWEET, SWEET, SWEET, their waist. Moving in time and, SWEET body-line, so give me point Michel girls any time!
Go for it Ophelia!
Yes indeed Dominica is so proud of you Ophelia you are a legend, an example, a mother, an inspiration words cant express how proud we are to have you as our very own we love so much. xo
Congrats Ophelia! You are a shining example of a true Dominican Ambassador and have helped to put us on the map! Keep it up!!
Congratulations aunty Ophelia. I want to hear and see more of your music
hi sister
The sky is your limit and with your pleasant attitude towards mankind only the heavenly father know how much more you have to share and give so keep striving on with your good works
From your SXM Friend N.W
congrats.. loving this positiveness in our Dominican women
Thanks , pointe michel dominica did it again, pointe michel girls are the best.
Yep…they are sweet, sweeeeeeeet, sweeeeeeeeeeeeet in the waist too. From experience they are really the bestest among the rest.
that is very powerfull,but please tell her not to come back as a tropical storm,she was not pleasant,
very proud of big sister O