The Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American Independent National Charities, Inc. (VINCI) on Sunday, Dec. 7, honored President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, U.S.A., Inc., Pamella Ferrari-Easter, with its Sylvia Wilson Humanitarian Award.
The late Sylvia Wilson was one of the former presidents and co-founders of VINCI.
The honor ceremony took place during VINCI’s Annual Pre-Christmas Gala at El Caribe Country Club on Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn.
VINCI said that it had also honored former Consul General to Canada Fitzgerald Huggins, but he was unable to attend the ceremony because of prior engagements.
“When we honor people, we don’t ask them which party (they are affiliated with),” said VINCI President Wayne Ragguette in his welcome address.
“This year, we are privileged to honor Mrs. Pamela Ferrari-Easter, an exemplary member of our Diaspora and a pioneering figure for women within the Vincentian community,” he added, noting that Ferrari-Easter, who was born in the Southern St. Vincent Grenadine island of Canouan, “holds the distinction of being the first female police officer from the Grenadines and was among only a small number of women serving in law enforcement at the time.
“Since migrating to the United States, she has continued her legacy of service by engaging in multiple charitable organizations and offering her time, compassion and leadership with exceptional dedication,” Ragguette continued.
Ferrari-Easter also received a Congressional Certificate of Citation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn; and New York State Proclamation from Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman, the daughter of Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, who represents the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn.
Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh also applauded Ferrari-Easter, stating that her “leadership, commitment to community safety and welfare, and continued engagement in Diaspora service exemplify the highest ideals of Vincentian citizenship.
“We honor your dedication, and we celebrate your steadfastness in your exemplary representation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
In accepting the Sylvia Wilson Humanitarian Award, Ferrari-Easter thanked VINCI, stating that she was receiving it “on behalf of all our members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, because of our members, especially our honorary members, worked so hard, and their hard work allowed me to be spotlighted.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be seen,” she said. “I also want to thank the many persons who took time out write tributes, and/or attended this memorable moment. I appreciate all of you. I am even more humbled.
“Congratulations VINCI for the hard work and the many years of serving others,” continued Ferrari-Easter, who, from an early age, had sheer admiration for the uniforms worn by police officers.
“The pristine look of those uniforms and the manner in which the police officers carried themselves were very intriguing to me,” she said, eventually pursuing a career in law enforcement with the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
Along with 299 other women, Ferrari-Easter said she applied and took the test to become a police officer.
Unbeknownst to her, Ferrari-Easter said the quota for this position was one and that she was part of a final pool of five women vying for the position.
After several interviews and processes of elimination, Ferrari-Easter said she was “victorious.”
As her heart so desired and the many prayers she prayed, Ferrari-Easter became the first female police officer from the St. Vincent Grenadine islands to join The Royal St. Vincent and The Grenadines Police Force.
Ferrari-Easter said she paved the way for other women to become police officers in the Force.
She was also the first female immigration officer in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, rising to the rank of sergeant.
In 1985, Ferrari-Easter migrated to the US and, a year later, officially resigned her position of sergeant in The Royal St. Vincent and The Grenadines Police Force.
In New York, she said she continued her service to families and the youth, working for 17 years as a security supervisor at Rochdale Village in Queens and taking on school leadership as president of the Parent-Teachers’ Association at her daughter’s elementary school.
Ferrari-Easter holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently a parent/community coordinator at a middle school in Brooklyn, where she is the liaison between students, parents, school administration and Department of Education.
She said she has been very instrumental in the coordination of several start-up programs that have positively impacted the lives of her students.
In 1990, Ferrari-Easter became a member of St. Vincent and The Grenadines Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc. and was elected president in October 2020.
Among other things, Ferrari-Easter said St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc. has supported nursing homes in the Diaspora, and families devastated by fire, disasters, serious illnesses and deaths of loved ones.
Most recently, after Hurricane Beryl, Ferrari-Easter said donations of food, water and essential supplies were sent to the affected families in the Grenadines.
Ferrari-Easter goes way above and beyond both in her role as president of the SVG Ex-Police Association, USA, Inc. and in her personal life.
“A desire to serve others is and has been a passion and one that is permanently etched in my heart,” Ferrari-Easter said.
