Welcome to the first edition of 2015.

On 8th March every year many countries would have celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), also called International Working Women’s Day. The focus of the celebrations varies from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political, and social achievements. The celebration begun as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries but primarily in Russia and Europe. In some places, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.

This issue places emphasis on women from across the globe who, in our view, deserve praise and recognition. Our cover story, Halle Berry, needs no introduction. Breaking the stereotypes she became the first and the only woman of African-American descent to win an Oscar for a leading role. We feature Petra Nemcova, Czech model, television host, and philanthropist, K.D. Aubert, Cane River Creole Beauty, actress and fashion model,

Merry Geers, successful, generous and passionate entrepreneur from Seychelles, Emma Hyppolite OBE, St Lucian Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs, Nia Long, successful American actress, Madam CJ Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in America, Rosa Parks, an African-American Civil Rights activist, Edwidge Danticat, Haitian-American author whose stories have been translated into numerous languages and Giselle Laronde West, who became the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago to win the Miss World in 1986. Interestingly, Halle Berry was representing USA at the very same event and finished as 5th runner-up.

Our music section features five outstanding female musicians, Destra Garcia, Soca singer/songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago, talented UK based Eden Jones, Kizzy Yuanda Constance Getrouw, Dutch actress, singer-songwriter and television host, London, UK, based Holly Holden, a modern example of an artist who thinks beyond borders and US based Bella Cat, a young and exciting soul singer described by Clyde Stubblefield as the "princess of soul".

We had to make few “exceptions” to our female theme in this issue. One of them is Irvin Mayfield, who has become one of this generation’s most notable jazz trumpeters. He also serves as a Cultural Ambassador for both the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.

There is so much more in this issue: travel, culture, history, art, book, sport and beauty.

Enjoy.

Georgina Dhillon

Editor