Celebrated actress Phylicia Rashad has urged Jamaican women to pursue their ambitions without fear, telling them that, “There’s no challenge that’s greater than you.”

The cultural icon, who starred as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, made the remarks Friday at the Plie for the Arts ‘Women of Vision: A Visionary Salon’ event at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

Held as part of Plié for the Arts’ 10th anniversary celebration, the event centred on the perspectives and achievements of women, allowing students and adults to hear from and interact with some of the nation’s top achievers across various industries while also giving them the rare opportunity of rubbing shoulders with one of the world’s most iconic and revered faces in television, Rashad.

The actress, who is from New York, had to brave extreme cold and the aftermath of a heavy snowstorm to get to Jamaica for the event. She was moved to tears as she spoke about the importance of living with spiritual connection and a life of service.

Plié for the Arts Founder and Artistic Director Marisa Benain speaks at the ‘Women of Vision: A Visionary Salon’ event on Friday, February 27, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“I’m so privileged to be with you all here today. I love seeing the sunshine in every face I see. And recognising that light in everyone I see. Thank you, God, for the privilege to understand that,” she said.

When given the opportunity to field questions to Rashad, multiple young women expressed their doubts and fears about the future to the actress. In response, she had encouragement and firm words.

“There’s no challenge that’s greater than you. Okay? There’s no challenge that’s greater than you. And it’s not that it’s smaller than you either. You are equal to it.”

She continued, “You have to draw your courage from inside. You have to be willing to be patient. You have to listen. And don’t stop. Don’t give up.”

Mannings School educator Audrey Williams Woolery is pictured alongside her students who travelled from Westmoreland to Kingston for the ‘Women of Vision: A Visionary Salon’ event on Friday, february 27, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

To another student who expressed crippling doubt about her “too big” dreams, the star said simply: “Doubt the doubt.”

Plié for the Arts Founder and Artistic Director Marisa Benain, in her opening address, noted that “the Caribbean is not peripheral to global excellence, it is central to it.”

School groups from across the island were in attendance, including one institution from storm-ravaged Westmoreland, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025.

Students from The Mannings School told Observer Online they were especially excited to see Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce honoured as one of the ‘Women of Vision’ for 2026.

Amarda Scott, a Special Education major at Church Teachers College couldn’t miss her chance to hear guest of honour Phylicia Rashad speak at the ‘Women of Vision: A Visionary Salon’ event on Friday, February 27, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Manning School educator Audrey Williams Woolery said her students had been immediately interested in getting the opportunity to listen to Rashad speak, noting she was pleased they had had the opportunity.

Similarly, Gracia Thompson of Ardenne High said she wanted her students to benefit from the opportunity to rub shoulders with successful women.

“I think this is a rare opportunity for students to be introduced to lots of people in the industry to see successful persons. They were very excited about the fact that Phylicia Rashad would have been the speaker here today. It is an amazing thing that Plie for the Arts is doing,” she said.

Other schools in attendance included Bishop Gibson High School, AISK, Immaculate Conception High School, The MICO University, Church Teachers College and more.

Four Women of Vision 2026 honourees (from left) CEO of Seaboard Freight & Shipping Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester; Design HQ Principal Architect and Founder Isiaa Madden; President & CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Audrey Tugwell Henry and the CEO of Lake Group Lisa Lake Epstein speak with host Terri Karelle Reid during the ‘Women of Vision: A Visionary Salon’ event on Friday, February 27, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Amarda Scott, a Special Education major at Church Teachers College, reflected on Rashad’s role as Clair Huxtable.

“I’ve always admired her as a black woman…and watching how she portrayed herself, I am like she is an example. Although it was just comedy then, but it was an example for me seeing how she grew the family,” Scott said, adding “She managed family, plus the role she played as an attorney, in that I have always admired her and today trust me I want to meet her.”

Alongside Rashad, Jamaica’s finest in female excellence was on display as a suite of accomplished and inspirational women were recognised as 2026 Women of Vision honourees namely: Joy Spence, Appleton Estate’s master blender; Supreme Ventures Group chief marketing officer Heather Goldson; Design HQ Principal Architect and Founder Isiaa Madden; President & CEO of Scotia Group Jamaica Audrey Tugwell Henry; CEO of From Thought to Finish Jacqui Tyson; Supreme Court Justice Simone Wolfe-Reece; Kings Counsel Public Defender Carolyn Reid Cameron; Olympic Gold Medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce; Vascular Surgeon Dr Hilary Ann Brown; CEO of Seaboard Freight & Shipping Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester; Deputy Chair of Arc Manufacturing Charlotte Ann Hayles; and Lisa Lake Epstein, CEO of Lake Group.

Lake, Tugwell, Madden and Robertson-Sylvester all sat for a panel with host Terri Karelle Reid. When asked to advise the youngsters in the room on the traits that could help them reap success in any opportunity or career, the quartet cited focus, curiosity, honesty and discipline.

The four women were received with a standing ovation following the close of the panel.

Addressing them during her own segment, Rashad said: “What I love most about this panel of women of vision, in hearing you speak and learning about what you do, there’s nothing pompous about you. And it’s not great statements that you make into the world.”

She continued, “But in your work, in what you’re doing and the way you’re doing it, you are serving creation and the one who made it. And you’re doing it very naturally. If we’re not here for this reason, why are we here? Life is a creative gift.”
Following the event, multiple attendees told the Observer they felt”lucky” to have witnessed it.

Plie for the Arts’ 10-year celebration continues this year with multiple stops in different Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, before culminating in Kingston, Jamaica, with an appearance by Misty Copeland, the first-ever black prima ballerina.