 Berthea Pearl is an inspirational leader who has made long-standing and worthwhile contributions to the tourism and hospitality landscape of St. Lucia. Her illustrious career and contribution to nation building is diverse and noteworthy. As a daughter of the soil, tonight, we recognize the indelible grit, vision, long-standing service and love for country, Mrs. Berthea Monika Pearl has bestowed upon St. Lucia for the most part of her life, serving as a tourism and hospitality leader for almost four decades. From starting off in the industry holding several entry-level positions, eventually making her way into managerial roles in accounting at various fine resorts in St. Lucia, Bermuda and Germany, where she became fluent in German. In the early 80s, Mrs. Pearl was the major managerial force behind the success of St. Lucia's famous Capone's Italian restaurant Pizzeria and Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Collar and the Patio. After a decade in restaurant operations, she returned to the hotel industry as the general manager of Bay Gardens Hotel in 1995. The impact of her contribution as general manager is still seen and felt today. Bay Gardens Resorts is seen as a market leader within the region due to Mrs. Pearl's creativity, marketing skills, knowledge of the hotel and tourism industry, and dedication. Mrs. Berthea Pearl, the St. Lucia woman leader Dynamo, is widely considered to be one of the most powerful women in the OECS in the spare of tourism. In 1998, she was appointed chairperson of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association and spent much of her time and efforts giving small, independent hotels the knowledge and tools to survive. She also played a major role sitting on international panels, educating journalists from around the world on a myriad of tourism topics, raising awareness on the importance of tourism as an engine of growth to develop economies of the region. She held several positions in the tourism industry, including President-elect of the Caribbean Hotel Association and was the former president of the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, the SLHDA. In June 2004, Berthea Pearl was bestowed member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE, on the birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England. She has also won several awards in her lifetime, some include SLHDA Crystal Award of 1998, Hotelier of the Year 1999. She received an honorary degree from the Jamaica Western Hospitality Institute in May 2002. Twice, she was honored and highlighted as the most powerful women in travel, awarded by Travel Agent magazine in August 2002 and August 2003. Tonight, we celebrate Mrs. Berthea Pearl and say thank you for sharing your love and passion for tourism and hospitality with St. Lucia, the region and the rest of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, in the category of special recognition for the inaugural St. Lucia Tourism and Hospitality, Jimmy's Mrs. Berthea Pearl.