Women of excellence

There are numerous Guyanese women who have received many accolades for outstanding achievements, proving that greatness can come from a small country. Two women of such excellence are “etiquette boss” Phillipa Morrish and motivational speaker Pamela Tracz.

Phillipa Morrish

Phillipa Morrish is a certified Social Protocol consultant and founder of Etiquette Training International, New York. Since 1999, Phillipa has worked internationally with corporations, organisations, law enforcement officers and private clients to help them become leaders in their field. She also works extensively with teens, and has been an etiquette teacher at Fontbonne Hall Academy, Brooklyn, since 2003.

Phillipa’s desire to bring the same instruction to the students of Guyana has resulted in ‘Finishing School’ courses being taught annually to Guyanese high school students. She has conducted workshops since 1999 to clients in the United States and the Caribbean; ranging from the Office of the President, to hotel and restaurant staff in Guyana. From law enforcement officers in Trinidad to hospitality students in Jamaica, she specialises in fostering a greater comprehension of differences in North and South American protocols.

A graduate of the University of Guyana and Universidat di Aruba, Phillipa earned a Bachelor’s in English in 1981. In 1998 she graduated from the Ophelia De Vore School of Charm, New York City; winning the coveted Miss High Achiever trophy. In 2010 she obtained additional social protocol training at the prestigious Minding Manners in London.

Phillipa has been honoured for her community service by several civic and government organisations in New York City, including: the United States House of Representatives, the New York City Council, The American Council for Minority Women, and the Metropolitan Detention Facility, Brooklyn, for creating The Chrysalis Program, through which she teaches female inmates.

She has taught etiquette to military wives at the Fort Hamilton Military Base, Brooklyn, and has been honoured by the installation for her volunteer work on behalf of military families.   In 2011 she was selected as one of Brooklyn’s Outstanding Women by the Kings County District Attorney’s office.

On October 26, 2015, the Merchants Association of Third Avenue Brooklyn honoured Phillipa with the Pioneer Civic Award. The Pioneer Award recognises businesses that have remained true to the small town feel of Bay Ridge and to individuals who have worked on behalf of community wide issues. The honours were handed out during at a cocktail reception at the Bay Ridge Manor in Brooklyn, New York.

Phillipa has also co-hosted several Monday Manners etiquette shows on Brooklyn Cable Access Television and currently writes a weekly column, “Etiquette Boss”, for the Home Reporter and Spectator newspapers in New York City.

Pamela Tracz

Pamela Tracz is a motivational speaker who was also born in Guyana. Pamela started her teaching career at the tender age of 17. She later travelled to London, England where she completed her training as a Registered Nurse and a State Certified Midwife. She is very experienced at providing and teaching health care, self care and wellness to individuals across the United Kingdom, Ontario and North America.

Pamela still marvels at her ability to function under the pressure and stress of a very difficult and complicated labour, delivering a healthy 13 lb. 8 oz. baby girl while functioning as a pupil Midwife in the community of Bedford, Bedfordshire.

With more than 36 years experience in nursing, she has demonstrated her ability in team leadership, team building, communication, personal effectiveness, listening skills and coping with stress.

She is a member of the Ontario Nurses Association and the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Pamela has been very instrumental in helping the Niagara Region Health Care services to cope with downsizing and change.

She has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers Hamilton Chapter and functioned as their president.

Pamela has delivered services at Christ Church Unity and other Spiritual Congregations.

Additionally, she is a competent Toast Master and has been winning competitions such as the coveted Silver Gavel Award and Speech contest at the Area and Division level.

The motivational speaker has given speeches and motivational talks about setting goals for success to Toastmaster organisations, community businesses and organisations.

Pamela believes that laughter is the best medicine. After reading about all the benefits of laughter, she trained as a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Teacher, started the first Happy Healthy Hearty Laughter Yoga club in the Niagara region and trained many individuals to become Laughter Yoga Leaders, including those who function as recreation therapists.

She has been helping individuals, members of the community, mental health care providers, retirement homes, nursing homes, and employees of many organisations reduce their stress levels, improve interpersonal relationships, self-confidence and increase their productivity because they are having fun at home and at work.

She enjoys opening seminars and conventions with energetic laughter and fun.

A Human Performance Improvement Consultant, she has given inspirational talks to beauty contestants giving them the confidence and presentation skills they need to help them realise their goals. She has also judged these competitions.

Pamela is Hamilton’s Woman of the Year in Communications. She is very dynamic, effective and enthusiastic using her leadership skills, techniques and humour to deliver presentations to her clients. (http://guyanesegirlsrock.org; http://pamtracz.com)