Remembering Those Who Served
They Forged A Path

SIR ROLAND SYMONETTE
The Journey from The Aurora Lodge Hall to 28 Dolphin Drive - They Forged A Path

The Cornerstone for the YWCA’s Headquarters on Dolphin Drive was laid on July 26th, 1964.
Present for the ceremony were from left to right: Sir Roland Symonette (2nd from left), Dora Sands (President), Lady Grey, Lady Symonette and the Rev. Harold Slater.

The early activities of the YWCA of The Bahamas were often constrained by the absence of a permanent home. By 1961, the Association recognized that meaningful progress required a dedicated building, and so it petitioned the Government for four acres of land in Oakes Field on which a suitable "Y" Hostel could be constructed. The request was granted, opening the door for members to bring their long-held dream of an Activity Centre into reality.

Support soon came from several directions. The American Ambassador's wife played a key role in securing architect Henry Melich to design the building. Yet the most generous contribution came from Sir Roland T. Symonette, whose assistance made it possible for the headquarters to be constructed. In 1964, the groundbreaking ceremony was held, marking a historic turning point for the Association.

The land on which the Headquarters stands was officially granted in 1961, and the estimated construction cost was £24,000—approximately $57,000 at the time. The Chairman of the Building Committee, Mrs. Erma Grant Smith, worked tirelessly during those challenging years. Together with Mrs. Dora Sands, President, she approached Sir Roland Symonette to negotiate a loan for the construction of the YWCA building.

Their written response captures the magnitude of Sir Roland's generosity:

"This good gentleman granted our request willingly, unhesitatingly and sincerely. He gave the loan without any documents being signed, just the word of the two ladies from the YWCA. We were to pay whatever we could and whenever we could. Last month when Mrs. Sands again visited him and told him that we had one thousand dollars and we still owed him 3,500 dollars, without a word he wrote across the file PAID. No one else would have done this for us. We are indeed grateful to Sir Roland for this kind concern for the Association over the years. We consider him to be a friend to the YWCA, a Christian gentleman, an outstanding Bahamian, a philanthropist, who has given immeasurable service to his country."

The Leadership of Mrs. Dora Sands

Mrs. Dora Sands, who was again elected in March 1959 and faithfully served during the period of planning and construction of the YWCA building, had this to say about her contribution:

"This dedicated group has brought the organization from its humble beginnings with Mother Butler in 1937 by climbing many a steep hill, walking many a rugged and treacherous path, to the position today where we have our own Headquarters and Activities Centre with beautifully landscaped gardens, a Medicinal Herbal garden, a Weaving Centre, an Adult Group and a Garden Club. This small but dedicated group, with the help of the Good Master and support of many friends have made their mark and have created a foundation of rock upon which the future can be firmly and solidly built.”