Political Pioneer Gwen Liz Earns Nation’s Highest Honour  

For the first time in Belize’s history, a woman has joined the country’s highest ranks of national heroes. Gwen Lizarraga, a political trailblazer and Belize’s first woman cabinet minister, received the honor posthumously Thursday night during the Tribute to Belizean Patriots. Her recognition marked the defining moment of an evening that celebrated twenty-five Belizeans for their service to the nation. Six honorees also received the prestigious Order of Belize. News Five’s Shane Williams reports on the people whose work helped shape the country.

 

Shane Williams. Reporting

The AI-generated tribute got several things wrong, but the ceremony got one important thing right: recognizing Gwen Lizarraga as Belize’s first woman national hero. Thursday night’s event celebrated a woman who challenged political barriers at a time when few women were invited to help shape the country’s future.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“She was a pioneering Belizean woman whose life was defined by courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to social justice, gender equality, and human rights. A trailblazer in Belizean political life, she broke barriers at a time when politics and political and public leadership were largely regarded, regarded as the, the domain of men.”

 

Gwen Lizarraga’s political career began at the local level, but her impact would reach the highest levels of government.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Madame Lizarraga entered public life through the Belize Town Council and became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives following self-government. She served three consecutive terms from 1961 to 1974 and made history as Belize’s first woman cabinet minister.”

 

At a time when Belize was finding its political footing, Lizarraga broke barriers and opened the door for more women to lead. This year, her name was added to Belize’s list of national heroes, making her the first woman officially recognized with the distinction. But the tribute was much bigger than one historic name.

 

Dame Froyla Tzalam, Governor General of Belize

“ Each of the patriots being recognized tonight has been selflessly embodying what it means to believe in Belize. They are national role models for all of us. They have shown that love of country isn’t, isn’t something done once a year. It is a duty fulfilled every day and consistently demonstrated in the little things they do to build strong communities, to protect the vulnerable, to protect the environment, and in so doing, nurture Belize to be the best in her glorious diversity.”

 

Twenty-five Belizeans were recognized this year for their contributions to the nation. And among them, six received the Order of Belize, one of the country’s highest national honors.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Lindy Rogers and Assad Shoman have already been granted the Order of Belize. They made, they make it a group of eight of our greatest generation of Belizean nationalists. The six new awardees are, posthumously, Vernon Harrison “Harry” Courtney, Alexander “Sandy” Hunter, Said Musa, the person that Mr. Price passed the baton to as leader of the People’s United Party after being elected by a convention. Florencio Marin, Ambassador Robert Leslie, Shirley Harvey, now known as Mrs. Shirley McSweeney. I ask you to join me in a standing ovation for all of these great Belizean patriots.”

 

And this year a new award was added to the list, the Medal of Valor, with Belize’s first recipient being Captain Howell Grange. Captain Grange is being recognized for his courageous actions during a harrowing mid-air hijacking incident in April of 2015 in which he remained calm under threat of death and safely navigated the flight to ground, saving all the lives on board.

 

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defense

“The fact that Captain Grange was able to, despite all the adversity, despite everything going wrong, despite the threat on his life, despite being, attacked physically, despite his passengers being attacked, he was able to keep a level head and come up with a plan. I think that is really what separates what happened that day and makes it so heroic.”

 

From politics and diplomacy to public service and nation-building, Thursday night was a reminder that the Belize we know today was shaped by generations of people willing to serve. Look at me, I’m Belize at forty-five. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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