Mrs. Zona Iotha Isilma Bartley has been awarded the _Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit (GCM)_ for her outstanding contribution to community service and youth development, recognizing more than five decades of dedicated voluntary service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

The honour was presented during the National Awards Ceremony at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s 44th Independence celebrations.

According to the official citation, Mrs. Bartley “has given outstanding voluntary service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda through her tireless work in youth leadership, community service, and foster care.” For more than 50 years, she has been a dedicated Cub Scout and Girl Guide leader, shaping generations of young men and women in discipline, leadership, and Christian values.

Her unwavering commitment to nurturing moral character and civic responsibility, the citation noted, has inspired many who have gone on to serve the nation with distinction in education, law enforcement, medicine, and other fields.

Beyond her work with youth, Mrs. Bartley has opened her heart and home to six foster children over more than 45 years, providing love, stability, and guidance to those most in need. Her service within the All Saints Anglican Church as a Sunday school teacher and lay leader further reflects her deep faith and devotion to community.

The citation described Mrs. Bartley as “humble, compassionate, and steadfast — a model of service, generosity, and humanity.” Her national honour stands as a testament to a lifetime spent uplifting others and strengthening the moral foundation of her country.