Melissa Poponne-Skerrit highlights women’s progress; announces women’s symposium

Melissa Poponne- Skerrit. File photo

Dominica’s Minister of Housing, Land & Urban Development, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, has announced an upcoming symposium titled “Find Your Peace and Your Purpose,” targeting women. The event, designed to address critical everyday issues faced by women in communities, is expected to host about 150 women and will feature notable women who have successfully managed to forge their paths with grace and determination.

Poponne-Skerrit revealed in a message for International Women’s Day that the guest speakers for the event will include Dr. Tecla Lewis, CEO and principal consultant for Lewis Management and Consultancy Services, who has over 35 years in both the public and private sector with leading executive roles in male-dominated careers; Donna Hinkson, a veteran in senior-level management in the business industry; Cindy McLean, founder of Four Circles Global Inc., co-founder of Innovative Talent Solutions, and the Ascension Group; and Natalie Joseph, a local cosmetologist, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker.

She said the symposium is eagerly anticipated, with many expressing excitement about the event.

“I know that it’s going to be a fun-filled day, as well as very interactive and full of information,” Poponne-Skerrit said, her voice filled with anticipation for the event.

In her International Women’s Day message, Poponne-Skerrit extended her best wishes to women worldwide, particularly those in Dominica. She acknowledged the significant progress women have made, evolving from being homemakers to taking on dual roles in society and the workplace, often shattering gender barriers along the way.

“Today is a day for all of us to reflect on the strides that we have taken, celebrate our female friends, and most importantly, continue to support and empower other women,” said Poponne-Skerrit. She emphasized the importance of unity among women, offering support and motivation to those facing similar challenges.

Poponne-Skerrit also highlighted the success of the recent Shippreneur Bus Tour, which took women to different women-owned businesses around the city and its outskirts. She said the tour was a testament to the potential of women when they shift their focus from competition to collaboration.

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22 Comments

  1. Ibo France
    March 10, 2024

    Government doesn’t need a long, bushy wig, a powered face, long eyelash extensions, painted-crimson lips persons to do well for its people. What government needs are honest, diligent and intelligent people. Melissa doesn’t possess any of these requisite attributes.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 4
    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      March 11, 2024

      Ibo MALAPROP France, jealousy is a crime! The government doesn’t need people that just criticizes for criticizing sake. It needs people with alternative solutions who can implement them. Not people who sit in a dungeon a spew crap.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 8
    • If we knew better
      March 12, 2024

      In Melissa’s defense brother, thats her real hair. Its not a wig. If you looking for wigs look at ALLL the other women in the Cabinet. Whats crazy is sometimes, they does still have guts and put a hat on top of the wig.

  2. Ibo France
    March 9, 2024

    Melissa makes my skin crawls whenever I think about this ‘naval seals and snipers’ ignoramus as a minister of government.

    How can a lady who does no even have one subject pass in CSEC contribute meaningfully to any high profile symposium? Her chances of being even a senator in any other Caribbean country are a big, fat 0.

    No other group of people is suffering more than women particularly mothers manning single parent homes. What have you Melissa done for these hapless mothers since your questionable appointment as a minister?

    This functionally illiterate lady is just now organising this event strictly for favourable publicity to decorate her fragile ego.

    When Melissa addresses an audience even to say her name she reads from a prepared script.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      March 11, 2024

      Mr MALAPROP, did you read what you wrote before posting?

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
    • March 11, 2024

      Pot calling kettle black. How many certificates does high school drop-out Ugly Lennox have in his portfolio? And how many do you have? I told you long time I could get u one at Macy’s for $2.00. And that Doctorate Fontaine has, how comes he was fired by the IMF? He is in Sudan which is all he can get trying to resurrect a poor and famished country. When he was in Dominica he was doing huckstering as his trade with a Phd, plying his trade between Guadeloupe and Dominica selling oranges and lemon. Lennox ‘s brother, Brian, is just a showoff with nothing to show for it.

  3. March 9, 2024

    She is the quintessential Dominican beauty. L’annee de la femme, Akiyaka. Her ageless, timeless, grace and fineness, her beauty, intelligence and elegance. Her rhapsody, her comedy, her symphony and at play. She is every love song ever written. Her essay, her glamour, please pardon my grammar, but she is everything schoolboys dream. She is the warmest thing that Skerrit has ever had. Her vision and ideas of Roseau are what makes our city the Cinderella of the Caribbean and the Helen of the West.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 1 Thumb down 16
    • Ibo France
      March 11, 2024

      Judging from your comments, it is conspicuous that you are an unserious person. I realise here that you are trying your hand at comedy.

      To regard Melissa as intelligent is the same thing as saying that some thieves are honest. Let her go all natural – no horse mane, no false eye lashes, no red lipstick, no powered face, no jewelry. It’s not pretty!

      • March 11, 2024

        At least she looks more attractive than Lennox looks handsome, no matter how much Mary Kay or Amway make up Lennox might put on. And by the way, she did not put herself in power, the people of Roseau constitutionally and duly elected her. At least, they saw something in her. And it is a proven fact, that some thieves are honest just as some honourable men and women are dishonourable.

    • Keen observer
      March 11, 2024

      “She is the warmest thing that Skerrit has ever had”????

      Hey DS, you have just blown your cover with your attempt at writing romantic poetry.

      There is no man in Dominica who would talk about another man’s wife – (far less the wife of the prime minister) with those words.
      Sounds to me like ‘Starboy of Stupidity’ trying to impress his ‘door knob’ bebele.

      Enjoy all you selves at our expense…….. carry on…..

      • March 12, 2024

        I am the poet laureate. Didn’t you know that?

  4. Marie
    March 9, 2024

    OMG, this woman is as shallow as small pool of water. Do you know what the word symposium actually means, Gucci? Or did they simply write a speech for you and asked you to merely to play the parrot. Women’s progress, don’t make me laugh, Gucci!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
    • March 11, 2024

      You are just as Gucci. What are your academic qualifications? None but a school leaving certificate from Standard 7, your gucci.

    • March 11, 2024

      Do not call God’s name in vain.

  5. En Ba La
    March 8, 2024

    The individuals who are slated to be speakers at the Women’s Symposium I do hope that some how word will be out there for them NOT to attend the Symposium. This individual – Melissa is NOT a genuine individual who is interested in Women anything. Dominica has a Human Rights Violator in her. I do hope I get the necessary assistance to ensure that Melissa Poppone Skerrit will get to pay for the type of criminal activity that she is involved in under the guise of business and assisting women.

    It is unfortunate that this individual got herself caught up in such heinous acts or evil acts – Dominica should in no way be involved in such ATTROCITIES.
    Unless one does not understand what, one is doing – I am calling on individuals to call upon Human Rights

  6. En Ba La
    March 8, 2024

    People should not listen to Melissa and these people PLEASE Dominicans DONT.
    I know what I am talking about – hopefully the United States Embassy or state department will see it fit to talk to them and deal with them.

    He should advise them to step down – for playing this getting involved in such Dangerous dealings and should take some sort of action as they are the ones who are involved with the government of Dominica.
    Same as they said that the state department spoke to Mr. Linton – I would encourage the State Department to caution or have a talk with the Government of Dominica and request a human rights report or attach a human rights report caveat in order to receive any aid – I do hope the European Union does as well as there are grants and aid that we receive which – we see all over the place road works – which is based off a country’s Human Rights record.

    CARICOM itself and the OECS should check on Dominica’s Records.

  7. Twisted
    March 8, 2024

    one thing….he taught u well….y u never came out to tell d AG this is wrong to call the lady a drumstick 🍗….y ….hypocrite… and your husband supported him…..birds of a feather……how do u all sleep?

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      March 11, 2024

      Did Lennox wife tell him he was wrong to call the young women of the land Prostitute? He even went as far as spelling out the word. Damn hypocrite as you are!

  8. En Ba La
    March 8, 2024

    When you are a US citizen in our government – and dealing with governments who have issues with the USA – look around and see all of them are US green card holders or US citizens,
    What is this that you all are running under – Melissa will you tell people what is this that you were or are doing – the individual is in Washington State -Kaley is her name NOT ME. I KNOW

  9. JAH KAL
    March 8, 2024

    That minister is the dumbest in the caribbean, what advice do you have for women of substance in dominica,
    (nothing ) its not sewo time,the only thing you think of is when is the next sewo date on the calender .
    What happen , were you force to make a statement about international womens day ? who ever do that they at fault because that is above you pay grade close quote.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  10. dissident
    March 8, 2024

    de Bureau of Gender Affairs actually falls under the Ministry of Health.
    I didn’t notice de tour……..i hope it wasn’t organized like a dlp event
    I hope u serious because none of this falls under your ministry……I can see how lazy some of you are

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  11. If we knew better
    March 8, 2024

    NONSENSE!!! what happen you take over from Valda Henry man? stupse.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2

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