As the only the sovereign nation in the world to be named after a woman, Saint Lucia takes International Women’s Day seriously and to that end, the Caribbean’s tourism authority has produced a special tribute this year spotlighting Saint Lucian women around the world, including Canada.

Among the 15 “trailblazers” featured in the video tribute is Toronto’s Traci Melchor, a familiar face on TV’s etalk Canada; other inspiring faces include a pilot, nurse, CEO, teacher, author, athlete, and more.

The video, which can be found on a dedicated landing page on the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s (SLTA) web site and via social media posts leading up to Women’s Day (March 8), is part of the tourist board’s efforts to amplify its existing “She is Saint Lucia” marketing campaign.

“International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of Saint Lucian women that are shaping the world,” says Saint Lucia’s minister of tourism Dominic Fedee.

He adds, “Our destination tag line is ‘Saint Lucia, Let Her Inspire You.’ The brand ethos is built on inspiring visitors through ‘her’ experiences. Whoever comes to her land will collect sensorial memories that will continue to spark creativity for a lifetime.”

History

Saint Lucia was named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse, a name bestowed upon the country under French rule. In addition to being the only country named for a woman, Saint Lucia also is known as “Helen of the West Indies.” Saint Lucia’s independence was won after multiple battles for control between the French and British. The nickname was earned after a British historian compared Saint Lucia to Helen of Troy’s Greek mythological character because she, too, mobilized an entire Navy.

Check the campaign’s landing page – stlucia.org/IWD