15 Jamaican Women doing amazing work in their communities were celebrated on March 24, 2024 at the HerFlow Foundation’s Celebrate Her Awards. This initiative was established in 2019 to honor outstanding Jamaican women as a part of HerFlow’s recognition of International Women’s Day. HerFlow’s Founder, Shelly-Ann Weeks says that the initiative was implemented to highlight the work of Jamaican women at the grassroots level who are working hard to make their communities better.
“I know there are many Jamaican women who use their own resources to help children go to school, to feed the homeless, to support those who need it everyday. They just don’t get the recognition they deserve.” Said Weeks.
She wants to do more to support these women starting with providing a grant for each recipient. “The HerFlow Unsung Shero Award will develop into a grant programme so we can help these ladies continue the great work they started and have a greater impact.” Weeks plans to approach international funding agencies to finance this initiative.
Curves Sanitary napkins was the main sponsor of the event and has been supporting the initiative since its inception in 2019. Curves Brand Manager, Mrs Tracy Wellington says the brand is committed to empowering and supporting Jamaican Women.
“We are very happy with this partnership as we know that Jamaican women are integral to their communities and their effort should be recognized,” she said. So far 78 Unsung Sheros have been recognized including Community Organizers, Guidance Counsellors, School Nurses with recipients as young as 9 years old.
“The HerFlow Unsung Shero Award was created to encourage the women in the trenches to continue their work. Sometimes it can feel very thankless and difficult. I wanted to ensure that these outstanding women know that their efforts matter and they are creating meaningful impact.” An impassioned Weeks states when asked why the award was created.
The 2024 HerFlow Unsung Sheroes are:
Monique Jackson – MJ Foundation; Queen Simone – Authentic Spiritual Speaker; Cheryl Simmonds – Gender Activist; Prudence Hall – The Prudential Foundation; Alejandra Williams – HeavenSent Foundation Limited; Kavelle Hylton – Certified STEM Educator; Shanique Rogers – We Touch One Heart Foundation; Mrs. Paula Clarke, the Founder of Mervis Braham Residential Child Care Facility; Ginnel Peart-Mckenzie – Advocate; Shiniqua Pascoe – S.Pascoe_Foundation
Sabrina Barnes – Youth Activist; Sheena Nagrani – Executive Chairman/Founder Life Revamped Foundation; Marcia Skervin , CMI, J.P. – Activist and Mindset Coach; Emma Subratie, Animal Activist; and Nayana Williams, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.
Celebrate Her Awards is an annual event and will return in 2025 to honor another group of amazing Jamaican Women working to make their communities better.
