A LEGACY OF FORTITUDE

“She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength.” (Proverbs 31:17)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines fortitude as “firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good” (1837).

The gift of fortitude gives us the courage to cultivate a strong mind to choose what is right and good.

The gift of fortitude gives us the inner strength to have the courage to stand firm, to know who we are.

Fortitude gives us the internal desire for the right thing.

It gives us the courage and perseverance in the face of pain and adversity to walk our life growing closer to the heart of God.

It takes fortitude to endure difficulties, to change the direction of one’s life and to face the old demons and stand with integrity. (Maria Morera Johnson)

Fortitude is not the absence of fear but rather the commitment to power through the fear to do what must be done.

The year – 1985 – marked the steps of Joanna Agatha Russell-Newton and cemented that she was a woman of fortitude.

A Woman Before Her Time

The Lord is on my side: I will not fear Psalm 118:6

Coined by many as a “Woman Before Her Time”, Joanna’s fortitude was unrelenting and unprecedented.

In a speech at a gathering of business persons and government leaders delivered Friday, January 24th, 1985 at the Bahamas Princess Country Club Hotel, Joanna was forward focused.

At the opening session of the two day Business and Industrial Seminar sponsored jointly by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, Joanna Agatha concluded her address with the following: “What are the solutions to our (economic) problems? Who should decide what’s best for our community? Who can know what our needs are? The answer is the people of Grand Bahama. The plan is Local Government. My question is, if not us? Who? And if not now, when?”

In 1987, Joanna Agatha continued to walk fearlessly as her convictions about economic fairness for women and their flourishing as a Woman In Enterprise became more fierce.

In a speech delivered Saturday, May 16th, 1987 at the Bahamas Princess Country Club Hotel, Joanna was frank.

(It is a speech that is as applicable now as it was at that time. Lets pause as we are reminded of Joanna’s poignant words in 1987)