It was all about honouring women.

On Saturday, the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston was alive with the strong spirit of Jamaican women as the venue for the fourth annual Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies (QORIHC) Awards, which recognises ‘queens’ who have significantly contributed to Jamaica’s music and entertainment industry whether on the stage or behind the scenes.

This year, 14 Jamaican women were up for these awards coneptualisted by Jamaican-born, New York resident Laurell Nurse.

“Women are synonymous with glitz and glamour and nurturing. We are doing everything a man can’t do in a man’s world,” is the message that Nurse left with awardees and patrons following the event.

Veteran actress Leonie Forbes received the Tribute Queen 2019 award.

“To be honoured like this is both mind-blowing and nerve-shattering,” she said as she collected her crystal award. “I will never forget it, nor will I ever forget any of you here celebrating tonight,” she continued.

Other awardees this year included artiste manager Claudette Kemp who has been the woman behind reggae artiste Capleton for over a decade.

“It means a lot to me, considering that it is not usually the person doing the hard work getting the award. So for someone to bring us out and award us is beautiful. I have never gotten awards in public, maybe for charity, but not for what I do, but to be highlighted is truly a tremendous feeling. For someone to think of us in this fashion is truly amazing,” she told Jamaica Observer.

Her sentiments were shared by public relations practitioner and arts marketer Coleen Douglas who is also an honoree.

“The truth is women are being recognised more than we are accustomed to. I think what’s particularly special about this is that it is specific to entertainment, and in an entertainment industry that is heavily male led, it’s really great to have an event without all the fluff that is really just coming from someone’s heart,” she said.

Other honorees included Shirley Willis, former lead singer of The Grace Thrillers; broadcaster Elise Kelly; singer Judy Mowatt; businesswoman Tina Matalon; poet Cherry Natural; dancehall dancer Keiva The Diva; recording artiste Ce’Cile; music video director Scorpio 21; businesswoman Kelly Upsetter; and social media influencer and blogger Lauren O Lauren.

International model Stacey Mckenzie also received an award. For her, this award is her most prized achievement as it came from her country.

“This award is from my people. This is where I am from, I am a Jamaican. I left when I was very young. Being out there in another country and doing my thing and to be able to come home and be acknowledged in this kind of light is a blessing and very special to me,” she shared.

QORIHC Awards are given to women in various parts of the entertainment industry who have paved a way and inspired others.

Although it has faced a serious lack of corporate sponsorship, Nurse in compelled to continue..

“What we are especially happy to do is bring the women who aren’t always seen to the forefront and make them feel like the queens they are for the work that they have put in and continue to put in and that is the aim of all this,” she said.