HerFlow recognises ‘Unsung Sheros’

Fifteen Jamaican women were honoured on March 24 at the HerFlow Foundation’s Celebrate Her Awards. The initiative was established in 2019 to spotlight outstanding Jamaican women as part of HerFlow’s recognition of International Women’s Day. HerFlow founder Shelly-Ann Weeks says the initiative highlights the efforts of “Jamaican women at the grass-roots 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 every day. They just don’t get the recognition they deserve,” said Weeks.

“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,” Weeks said.

She says there are plans to strengthen the impact of the awards.

“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.”

Curves Sanitary napkins, the event’s main sponsor since its inception in 2019, pledged its continued support. Curves Brand Manager Tracy Wellington said:“We are very happy with this partnership as we know that Jamaican women are integral to their communities, and their effort should be recognised.”

To date, 78 Unsung Sheros have been recognised, including community organisers, guidance counsellors, school nurses, with recipients as young as nine years old.

This year’s awardees 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; Paula Clarke –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, JP – activist and mindset coach; Emma Subratie – animal rights activist; and Nayana Williams– entrepreneur and philanthropist.