Madame Liz awarded, Order of National Hero

Belize honors 1st female National Hero & 24 other patriots

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 24, 2026

   Belize honored its first National Heroine – Gwendolyn Lizarraga, awarded its first Medal of Valor, and conferred the Order of Belize award on six patriots who helped form the nation. Two patriots were awarded Orders of Distinction, and 15 other patriots were awarded for Meritorious Service, at the annual Tribute to Belizean Patriots ceremony at the foot of the Swing Bridge in Belize City last Thursday night, September 17. The Governor General, H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam presented the awards.

Order of National Hero (1)

   Former PUP minister Gwendolyn Margaret Lizarraga (RIP 1975) was awarded the Order of National Hero posthumously. Affectionately known as Madame Liz, she broke many glass ceilings in Belizean society, pushing through barriers created by the colonial system. She insisted on dignity in education, employment, political representation, and equality before the law for people who had been excluded, ensuring their right to build a better life. Her story lives in schools, communities and institutions that she helped to build. She opened the door for generations of Belizean women who have entered spaces which were once closed to them. She embodied leadership, proving it was not a uniquely male quality, and that she was equal to the task of nation building. In doing so, she challenged the preconceived norms to widen the possibilities for all the women of Belize.

Order of Belize (6)

   The Order of Belize was awarded to six leaders who helped shape the nation to achieve Independence.

   The late Vernon Harrison “Harry” Courtenay, Belize’s first politically appointed Attorney General, was awarded posthumously. He participated, along with George Price and Assad Shoman in critical negotiations with Guatemala and the United States, including those related to the Heads of Agreement.

   The late Alexander “Sandy” Hunter, another honoree, served on the External Affairs Committee, and was an important link with the British governor. He promoted legislation restricting foreign ownership of Belizean land to protect territory, which was at the very heart of the Independence struggle.

   Two-term former Prime Minister Said Musa, who was also an Order of Belize honoree, served on the External Affairs Committee, and Premier Price charged him with building and maintaining our Caribbean neighbors’ support for Belize, and regional solidarity in Latin America. A 9-term member of the House of Representatives, he also held various Cabinet posts, and held key government portfolios including those of Attorney General, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Education

   Former Cabinet minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Florencio “Lencho” Marin, another recipient of the honor, once led the Northern Cane Workers Union, and used his regional trade union connections to lobby for Belize’s independence with delegates at a major Latin American workers’ congress in Venezuela.

   Ambassador Robert Leslie, another honoree, lobbied directly for Belize at the United Nations in 1975, networking with other representatives, and preparing arguments to ensure Belize’s voice would be heard among other world nations, even before Belize was recognized as an independent nation.

   The Order of Belize was also awarded to Shirley McSweaney, who often labored late into the night over her typewriter, preparing letters, booklets, meeting requests, and briefing documents for Belize’s mission to the U.N., in a small office on East 42nd Street in New York City.

   Their combined efforts led to the United Nations’ unanimous vote for Belize’s Independence in 1981, supported by a security guarantee of Belize’s territorial integrity “for an appropriate period” by the United Kingdom, along with support from other UN organizations.

Medal of Valor (1)

   Tropic Air pilot Captain Howell Grange received the Medal of Valor for his exceptional courage, bravery, and heroic selflessness that saved 15 lives in Belize’s 2nd aircraft hijacking on April 17, 2025. He suffered life-threatening injuries in the process.

Order of Distinction (2)

   Dr. Adrian Coye, cardiothoracic surgeon, healthcare leader, and medical educator, received the Order of Distinction for Contributions to Healthcare and Medicine. He has been a pioneer in local open-heart surgery.

   Chief Warrant Officer-4 Wade Furniss of the Louisiana National Guard’s 156th Army Band received the Order of Distinction for contributions to Military Music and Bilateral Relations between Belize and the United States.

Meritorious Service Award (15)

   Dr. Errol Vanzie received the Meritorious Service Award for Contributions to Public Health and Epidemiology, for he promoted primary health care with the firm belief that a citizen’s access to health care should not be determined by his wallet.

   Pioneering Belizean nurse Lourdes Espat-Hales was awarded for her Meritorious Service and her lifetime contributions to community-based healthcare.

   Mopan Maya leader Alfonso Esteban Caal was awarded for Meritorious Service and Contributions to Indigenous Rights and Community Development, while serving as president of the Toledo Alcaldes Association, and contributing to the historic 2015 Caribbean Court of Justice consent order affirming Maya customary land rights.

   Public Works worker Peter Castillo was awarded for his Meritorious Service and contributions to Community Service. He repaired roads, bridges and lights throughout Toledo, and cleaned drains as well.

   John Diaz received the Meritorious Service Award for his more than six decades of Community Service in Ladyville, working with the Belize Diabetes Association, Ex-Servicemen League, and Union of Evangelical Churches of Belize.

   International volleyball referee Omar “Maestro” Mendez was awarded for his Meritorious Service to Sports, Community and Public Service for his 36 years of municipal service to Orange Walk Town.

   Distinguished conservationist, fisherman and tour guide, Matthew Nicholas was awarded for his Meritorious Service and Contributions to Marine Conservation and Sustainable Fisheries, and 30 years working with the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) and Southern Environmental Association (SEA).

   Marine conservationist Janet Gibson received the Meritorious Service Award for her more than four decades of service to Marine Conservation and Sustainable Development.

   Visionary educator, humanitarian, pastor, and champion of opportunity, Sadie Vernon, PhD, was awarded posthumously for her Meritorious Service and contributions to Education & Community Service. She pioneered second-chance education by establishing in 1964 the Belize Continuation School for young women, which grew into the Sadie Vernon Technical High School.

   Distinguished Belizean educator, Gwen Nuñez Gonzalez was awarded for her Meritorious Service to Education and Garifuna Cultural/Language Preservation, through The Yurumein Project.

   Jacqueline Emily Moralez began teaching when she was just 13 years old, and she was awarded for her more than 40 years of Meritorious Service and contributions to Education and Community Service, which included a role in helping to establish the Hope Christian Academy.

   Brenda Douglas was similarly awarded for her Meritorious Service to Education for more than 25 years.

   Josephine Recinos (RIP) was awarded posthumously for her Meritorious Service and contributions to Education at schools throughout the Cayo District through her role as president of the B.N.T.U. San Ignacio Branch.

   Maria Angela Varela was awarded for her Meritorious Service and Contributions to Community Service in the development of San Pedro.    And Belizean agricultural leader, educator, and public servant, the late Carlos Santos, was awarded posthumously with his Meritorious Service Award for Contributions to Agriculture and Public Service. He helped to establish the Belize Enterprise for Sustainable Technology (B.E.S.T.).