Milfred Deans (right), immediate past general-secretary of the (YWCA) greets Kathleen Paisley, at the World YWCA day 'Round the World breakfast' on Tuesday. Ms. Paisley was honoured for her contribution to the association under the theme for the day, 'Honouring women leaders'. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Women in over 125 countries, including Jamaica, sat down to breakfast on Tuesday at the annual Young Women's Christian Association round the world breakfast, celebrating YWCA day.

Each year, on April 24, over a 24-hour period, from country to country and continent to continent, YWCAs participate in the biggest breakfast of the year. This celebration provides the opportunity for the associations to connect as a collective movement that is changing the lives of millions of women and girls worldwide.

Honouring women leaders

This year's theme, 'Honouring women leaders', invites associations to honour female leaders in their local communities. National president of the Jamaican YWCA, Ouida Ridgard, hosted the Jamaican leg of the breakfast at her Beverly Drive residence. Of the numerous women leaders who have passed through the organisation in its 84-year history, in Jamaica, Kathleen Paisley was bestowed the honour on the day.

A long-standing member of the YWCA, Ms. Paisley is the principal of the YWCA Port Royal Basic School, which she was very instrumental in forming in the 1970s.

YWCAs around the world also use the occasion to create awareness of the World YWCA and the 'Power to ChangeCampaign'.

The YWCA is one of the oldest women's organisations that began in London in 1855. The YWCA's purpose is to develop the leadership of women and girls around the world to achieve human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice and peace for all people.

Ruthlyn Johnson (left), corporate communication officer of JPS, has a keen ear for Marcia Creary (centre), Chairman of conference planning committee, and Denise Forrest (right), president of the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP), during a press conference to launch the JIEP's third conference on 'Environmental Management in the Caribbean - What makes it work" at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston, on April 23. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Can you share a secret? That must be the transaction between Ouida Ridgard (left), national president of Jamaican YWCA, and Etta Whiteman, at the World YWCA day 'Round the World breakfast'. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

YWCA member, Daphe McHardy, (right) gives a friendly pat Etta Whiteman, at the World YWCA day 'Round the World breakfast' celebrating YWCA Day.