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7News was there and found out who got recognized:

Daniel Ortiz Reporting

The 2013 Belize Woman of the Year, Ms. Sylvia Flores, has celebrated several land marks in Belizean history as she scaled the political landscape to its heights, despite a culture of male predominance.

She was the first woman Mayor of Dangriga Town, the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the first woman parliamentarian elected from Dangriga.

She's has served the country as the Minister of Defence, the Minister of National Emergency Management, the Minister of Human Development, the Minister of Housing, and President of the Senate.

From a list of nine other outstanding women, she was chosen by the panel of judges appointed by the US Embassy of Belize.

The Ambassador underscored the importance of the distinct honor of her recognition.

H. E. Vinai Thumalapally - US Ambassador to Belize
"It is because we believe there is so much to appreciate in the achievements of remarkable women, and the causes to which they devote their lives, that the U.S Embassy established the Belize Women of The Year Award. It is vital to recognize those who give selflessly to others. The woman before us has set the standard for their fellow Belizeans."

Far from being self-congratulatory, when given the chance to speak, she expressed only admiration for her fellow nominees.

Sylvia Flores - 2013 Woman of the Year
"It is most certainly an honor for me as well, to have been a part of cadre of very qualified Belizean women who were nominated for this award. You are women who I respect greatly and for whom I hold great admiration, because you are women who have an abiding sense of self-worth have contributed significantly to the empowerment and the advancement of our Belizean women and girls, and rendered cause for us as Belizeans to celebrate such occasion as International Women's Day. So, I pause to say to you; you are the salt to our Belizean earth. Please continue your great work in embracing all that we are women. Keep sensitizing us to the issues that matter to our well-being and our welfare, and keep reminding us that the work of women is never done."

The theme for international women's day is: "A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women". Later on, we'll show you an art exhibition that is being held to commemorate the day.