Today is International Women’s Day, so it is the perfect day to honour one of St. Maarten’s inspirational women – Altagracia “Linda” Lake. Lake is considered the mother of Business and Professional Women Concordia (BPWC). She believes in the empowerment of women and is someone you can always depend on.
According to BPW Concordia St. Maarten President Olga Mussington-Servcie, not only has Linda served on the BPWC board consistently, but she also attends all meetings, participates in committees, leads projects, provides direction to the organization and is a great ear to many.
Linda is an encourager. You can go to her to vent, for advice, for guidance…and she makes herself available. She is a woman worth honouring on this International Women’s Day, because of who she is, what she has overcome and the role that she plays in the lives of many.
Linda is not one to talk about all that she does; she just lets her actions do the talking. She sees a need and if she cannot fulfil it, she networks to see how others can assist in getting that need met. It may be a need of a member of her community, a need of a friend, an associate or just someone or something she read about in the media. She is a lady who lives by example and wants to see others thrive.
Altagracia E. Lake, affectionately called Linda, is an entrepreneur and administrative professional with over 40 years of experience. As a professional, she served as an office manager at St. Maarten Port Services, N.V., for over 25 years. In the last 25 years, she used her spare time to build her business as an Avon Independent Consultant where she continues to provide excellent customer service to her clientele.
Linda was a founding member of Business and Professional Women St. Maarten in 1989. She was an active member where she served as President, Treasurer and Sub-Regional Coordinator for North America and the Non-Spanish Speaking Countries. In 2008, she became a certified facilitator of the BPW IDP Leadership Program. Linda was also instrumental in the founding of BPW Concordia after BPW St. Maarten went dormant. She’s been a pillar in the organization where she serves as Treasurer.
As a retiree, she has embraced her love for travel and became a certified Tour Director and worked as a Senior Sales Agent. Lake is also a breast cancer conqueror, who has made it her life’s mission to share her experiences with the community through breast cancer awareness campaigns where she champions the importance of early detection. In her spare time, she volunteers with Meals on Wheels and attends water aerobics twice a week. She is a mentor to many, a mother of two and a grandmother of three.
This international Women’s Day, Linda’s loved ones took the opportunity to share some reflections and words of praise:
“From my childhood to the present, my mom, Ms. Linda Lake, has always been strong and resilient and has never shown us weakness even throughout her toughest battles and still today I am amazed. She has always taught us to keep improving ourselves along with encouraging us to never give up – and for that, I am grateful. As a grandmother, she continues to instil the same values in my children. I am proud of you, Mom. I love you.” ~Son Gregory Peters
“The Lovely LL, as she calls herself, is the epitome of the strength of a woman. I have seen her face life and health challenges head-on with grace and her faith. There are many facets of my mother that are admirable (like her elegance) but, here, I will focus on her passion for both learning and sharing her experiences to empower others.
“Her words are always on repeat in my mind: ‘If I can do it, I expect you to do more; you have more technology than me, or that's what I send you to school for.’ Her no-nonsense attitude may be sometimes misunderstood, but you can learn from her wisdom if you are willing to listen. She is truly an elder in the village and I proudly share her with many daughters and sons. She is living in her grace years and, for that, my brother and I are truly grateful to God. Cheers to you, Mommy, much love always.” ~Daughter Cindy Peters
“I admire her courage, her strength, her determination and willingness. She’s always willing, even when she’s not able. She has inspired me to push through all obstacles that may come my way. She demonstrates unconditional love. At times, this love came in harsh ways and with a firm tone of voice; but it was love – one that you could feel and see.
“She is constantly learning and educating herself. I admire this so much. Her roles in other people’s lives are so many. She is a loving, giving and beautiful person inside and out. Great mother, amazing auntie – she’s a true and faithful friend. She’s a motivator, a mentor, a no-nonsense kind of woman. She’s a gentle militant and just one heck of an amazing woman.” ~Niece and fellow BPWC Member Suzanne Scantleberry
“My godmother Linda Lake has been in my life literally from the start. I cannot untangle my existence from hers, she is a fixed point, an anchor. And yet it seems like I am always discovering something new about this formidable woman. Most recently, I learned that she finished high school at the age of 16 and her mother was afraid of letting her go away to a big country where she had no familial ties to study. Thus, my godmother remained in St. Maarten and got her first job.
“Although she didn’t get the opportunity to go abroad and further her studies, she never let that hold her back. If there was a course to do, she did it! Always one for self-advancement and development, my godmother seized every opportunity that came her way to advance not only her career, but to become a well-rounded community and service-oriented woman. This is something she encourages in all, but especially the many women she frequently counsels. Go out there and get what is yours; don’t let anything stop you or hold you back. Be afraid, but do it anyway.
“The testament of how she lives her life can be seen by all the phenomenal women who surround her – her daughter Cindy being one of those exceptional women herself. My godmother always strives to do her best, actually better than her best. During the pandemic while many were content for the downtime to relax, she hopped on ZOOM calls, learning her way around a new platform and was involved in learning new skills.
“Nothing can and will ever hold her back from learning. It is this fervour to learn that keeps her young, for you will never look at her and accurately guess her age. She is a snazzy dresser, and I admire the class with which she carries herself – a lady through and through.
“I know many will describe her as tough, strong, resilient, but I wish to look beneath the surface. My godmother may possess a fortitude unlike most; she is quick to resolve things, finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem or setback. She will be the glue that holds things together when they seem to be falling apart. However, beneath all the strength, she is a soft, kind-hearted woman, which is displayed through the way she tends to everyone who needs her, always showing up to be of help, to give a kind word or encouragement. We often forget to check on our strong friends; so often, they are holding it together for us; we forget to show up and extend that kindness to them.
“There is a lady I follow on social media, Lyvonne Briggs, who always talks about having persons in your life that serve as ‘possibility models’; people who you see accomplishing things you one day hope to, or living a life you one day hope to, being the person you wish you could be. They serve as a model that it is possible for you to do the same. My godmother Linda is that possibility model for me and for many I know. A living example of what you could be – an example we should all dare to aspire to. If you are looking for an example of how to be a classy, outstanding and upstanding woman, tour de force, look no further than Linda Lake.” ~Goddaughter Charisse Piper
BPW International is an influential International network of Business and Professional Women from nearly 100 countries in five continents with Consultative Status at ECOSOC/United Nations. Founded in 1930, BPW International develops the professional, leadership and business potential of women on all levels through mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects around the world.
