Where the Women Go, the Culture Goes
Small is not in my DNA…
Benain founded Plié for the Arts in 2015, inspired by an email from Nicholas Villeneuve, who relayed that his friend Desmond Richardson — co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet — was interested in visiting Jamaica. That pivotal introduction set the stage for what would become a transformative journey. Over the past decade, Plié for the Arts has established itself as a leading Jamaica-based arts organization, dedicated to advancing Caribbean dance. Through internationally recognised events such as Amalgamation, the Youth International Gala, and the Plié Academy, the organisation continues to elevate and celebrate the region’s vibrant dance culture.
“I’ve been teased sometimes, ‘Why do you only take first-class dancers? Why do you always take the principals? Because I started with Complexions Contemporary Ballet with a man called Desmond Richardson, who took a chance on me in 2016, and he has opened so many doors for me. He introduced me to Debbie Allen, Misty Copeland, and Alicia Graf Mack. He has never said no to me. And we are honouring him this year, at our gala Amalgamation. Which, incidentally, will now be in Trinidad, Barbados, and Jamaica,” she informed. “But, if you know me, I work very hard for what I want to achieve. And I have a standard that I refuse to settle. This could have been an ordinary thing… we could have had a small thing. And that maybe was the plan, but small is not in my DNA,” she shared. “I’ve shared my goals and aspirations with Miles [Davis], and I told him, I always wanted her [Phylicia Rashad] here. And it’s just never been convenient, in terms of her schedule,” she shared. But the opportunity presented itself last November while Benain was in Manhattan, and she took it. “He [Miles Davis, PhD] called me one day, and he said ‘Phylicia has time, we can do February or April’, and I said even if she comes tomorrow, I’ll make it work,” she explained.
In addition to Phylicia Rashad, Women of Vision honoured 12 extraordinary women whose leadership has shaped a wide range of fields, including legal advocacy, jurisprudence, culinary arts, entrepreneurship, shipping, manufacturing, medicine, financial services, architecture, athletics, theatre, and education. By recognising these trailblazers, the celebration underscores the profound impact of women across diverse sectors and their lasting contributions to society.
“I wanted those students today [in attendance Friday morning in the hotel ballroom] to see these women, and internationally acclaimed Phylicia Rashad. I wanted them to see Jamaican women who are great at what they do. Some of these women have influence, and I literally had to hire Jevaughn to scour the Internet to find a photograph [of them]; you couldn’t even find some of their kneecaps on
Instagram, because that’s not what they’re about. It’s about the work. And this is why Women of Vision will be an annual event. We take a lot of time to tell young people, don’t do this, don’t do that, but sometimes we have to point them to what is possible”.
Phylicia Rashad (right) accepts the Plié Women of Vision Award from Marisa Benain.Naphtali Junior
“Marisa, thank you for this kind invitation to be among these distinguished women. It has been said that where the women go, the culture goes. In a certain part of the world this is actually scripture, and the Lord said it. Where the women go, the culture goes. It’s such a joy to be among you. When women gather like this there is magic that happens. It’s wonderful to meet you, to know you, to know about you, and to celebrate each other. So beautiful. Jamaica has been challenged in different ways, many ways. And, most recently a natural disaster. Nature shows itself the most powerful force of all. Your money, and your political standing mean nothing when you face her. I do say ‘her’, because she is one of us. Where the women go, the culture goes. Thank you for everything you do to contribute to your community, as you lead your country from behind, from the side, from above, from below, and in front of. You are amazing. Thank you so very much. — Phylicia RashadNaphtali Junior
“There’s a saying: ‘Without vision the people perish’. Marisa I want to thank you for your vision tonight. I want to thank everyone for all the ‘yes’ and the ‘no’s’ you’ve told her, because I think because of those things, you continue to persevere to find your purpose and your calling. And without that excellence that you have inside, we wouldn’t have been here tonight… So thank you so much for this evening. I want to also say, all the ladies that are around the table, this evening when I sat there and I listened to every single one of your résumés and all that you’ve accomplished, you have inspired me. Not to say that, in my own right I haven’t done things, but I think you have created space and you have taken up space. And you have shown me that there is so much more to come. And I am grateful for your expertise, and grateful for your impact. And also what is equally important is understanding that what you do now, is creating a legacy, not just for me, but for the little girls to come, that we can sit and we can say — if it’s not in your twenties, if it’s not in your thirties — your time will come. And greatness is measured not where you stand, but where you kneel…And I want to thank you so much for everything… and I look forward to doing more, and hopefully continue to excel the way you guys have gracefully done… So this evening, I thank you all for being here, I thank you for the celebration of richness, excellence, integrity, and purpose.” — Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Naphtali Junior
![“First of all, let me just say how pleased I am to be here. I’d like to recognise my family, my daughter “PK” for her support, since my husband would not wear a bow tie tonight [laughs]... And of course my team from Scotia Group, who have been such great supporters for different events, but most of all for the work that they do, and who they are as professionals. This evening is very special. It is always good to be recognised in your country, with your peers. I am very honoured to be among women from almost every industry, and it’s a real star-studded group of women. So I want to thank Plié For The Arts, and Marisa in particular, for this event. This event that came from a seed planted, and it is growing from strength to strength. Admittedly, I was one of the persons that said no at first. So I just outed myself! But Marisa is persistent, and she has a dream for the arts that Jamaica needs. [Applause] I want to congratulate you for being a dreamchaser and not just a dreamer. And then of course to the lovely Ms Phylicia Rashad... I said to someone from my office today that watching you, you were the first example of a woman of colour achieving being a mother, being an advocate, being a full professional, with a full family, and doing it with grace... I would have watched you on television with such admiration and I never thought it would have been possible to meet you in person, and I am truly honoured. So thank you for all that you’ve done for persons who may never ever meet you, but for showing what is possible in what you do for the way of service. Thank you, everyone, and thank you to the Lord for every blessing.” — Audrey Tugwell HenryKareem Carr/LH Multimedia](/jamaicaobserver/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/03/image_4-27.jpg)
“First of all, let me just say how pleased I am to be here. I’d like to recognise my family, my daughter “PK” for her support, since my husband would not wear a bow tie tonight [laughs]… And of course my team from Scotia Group, who have been such great supporters for different events, but most of all for the work that they do, and who they are as professionals. This evening is very special. It is always good to be recognised in your country, with your peers. I am very honoured to be among women from almost every industry, and it’s a real star-studded group of women. So I want to thank Plié For The Arts, and Marisa in particular, for this event. This event that came from a seed planted, and it is growing from strength to strength. Admittedly, I was one of the persons that said no at first. So I just outed myself! But Marisa is persistent, and she has a dream for the arts that Jamaica needs. [Applause] I want to congratulate you for being a dreamchaser and not just a dreamer. And then of course to the lovely Ms Phylicia Rashad… I said to someone from my office today that watching you, you were the first example of a woman of colour achieving being a mother, being an advocate, being a full professional, with a full family, and doing it with grace… I would have watched you on television with such admiration and I never thought it would have been possible to meet you in person, and I am truly honoured. So thank you for all that you’ve done for persons who may never ever meet you, but for showing what is possible in what you do for the way of service. Thank you, everyone, and thank you to the Lord for every blessing.” — Audrey Tugwell HenryKareem Carr/LH Multimedia
Audrey Tugwell Henry (right) accepts the Plié Women of Vision Award from Marisa Benain.Naphtali Junior
Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce (right) accepts the Plié Women of Vision Award from Marisa Benain.Naphtali Junior
