You might not have heard of the HerFlow Foundation; but then, there are many organisations and individuals in Jamaica quietly doing good work - who, in my view, do not get the recognition they deserve.
Founded by the dynamic Shelly-Ann Weeks (yes, there is no better word for her, she has enormous energy!) the HerFlow Foundation is very focused on one key social concern affecting women: period poverty, and of course the issues surrounding it. I interviewed Shelly-Ann for Global Voices some four years ago. As she said at the time:
Pain is a big part of women's lives. We are not comfortable articulating to a doctor — we can't even say the word "vagina" — and a lot of us end up suffering in silence. There are many myths and straight-up wrong information about periods. People are very superstitious. It's really important, I think, for us to first of all, break the silence. This "hush-hush" attitude to female reproductive health is dangerous. If we are able to talk openly, there are a lot of benefits. Your quality of life is improved. The silence stops you from getting help.
Global Voices, July 2019
Fast forward to 2023, and Shelly-Ann's work continues. It was encouraging to note, also, that the University of the West Indies (UWI) has started a project to install sanitary napkins in all student restrooms on campus. Kudos to the Vice President of Services and Special Projects (VPSSP) - a young man! - for this initiative. I hope the private sector will come on board to support the UWI Guild.
Shelly-Ann Weeks (4 th right), Executive Director of the HerFlow Foundation and Tracy-
Ann Wellington-Reid, Category Manager, Personal Care of Lasco Distributors
Limited with the awardees after the ceremony at the
Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Meanwhile, the HerFlow Foundation recently honoured a group of "problem-solving" women, who have been working in their communities to support women in the post-COVID period. Here are more details:
EDUCATORS, PHILANTHROPISTS AND ACTIVISTS AMONG AWARDEES AT THE 2023 HERFLOW FOUNDATION UNSUNG SHERO AWARDS
The HerFlow Foundation in partnership with Lasco Curves awarded eighteen (18) females who have been working closely with their communities to return to normal after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, during an awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
This awards ceremony was executed by the foundation's Celebrate Her initiative to recognize Jamaican women who are achieving important goals in business and their community. The awardees were chosen based on the work that they do and its impact.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shelly-Ann Weeks, Executive Director of the HerFlow Foundation said, "At our core, HerFlow Foundation is committed to empowering Jamaican women and girls. Through Celebrate Her, we focus on those women actively solving problems in their communities. I am very impressed with the 2023 Unsung Sheroes, especially 9-year-old Leanna Brown who heard me talking about period poverty and raised over 1000 packs of menstrual products to donate to our drive to end period poverty."
"These individuals represent solutions to many of the problems faced by Jamaica. It is my wish to grow this initiative to the point where HerFlow will be able to issue grants to all Unsung Sheroes so they can continue their work," Weeks added.
Meanwhile, Tracy-Ann Wellington-Reid, Category Manager, Personal Care of Lasco Distributors Limited is elated that Curves can support this initiative since its inception.
"Lasco Curves is committed to inspiring and uplifting women and girls through our continued partnership with Her Flow Foundation. We are recognizing the outstanding contribution of our Unsung Sheros in their communities," she said."
Wellington-Reid further noted, "Curves has been a long-standing partner for four years, empowering women and girls to achieve their fullest potential and be their best selves every day."
Shelly-Ann Weeks (right), Executive Director of the HerFlow Foundation presents a gift basket to 9-year-old Leanna Brown, Founder of Mission 500 during
the awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Looking on are her parents and her little sister. (Photo: HerFlow Foundation)
This year's awardees are: Sabrina Cleopatra Brown, Founder of What Women Want Ja; Olivia Shaw-Lovell, Founder and Executive Director of Women of Destiny; Rachel McDonald, Creator of Di Cawna Library; Monique Allen BSc, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Author and Fertility Educator; Leanna Brown, Founder of Mission 500; Stacy-Ann Garvey, Executive Director of Resurrected Garvey Ministries; TeHilla Paul, Gender Justice Advocate; DeAndrea Jackson, Founder of The Free Likkle Cupboard; Jennelle Jones, Founder of Plum Academy; Shauna Fuller Clarke, Founder and Executive Director of B.A.S.E Foundation; Richelle Henry, Podcaster/Advocate of Power Nugget with RTH; Latoya Blackwood, Literary Advocate and Past President, BIAJ; Dr Kim Sommerville, Co-Creator of PCOS1in10 Campaign; Marcelle Jackson, Founder of MJ Foundation; Natasha Elizabeth Russell, Founder of Natasha Elizabeth Russell Upliftment Foundation (NERUF); Hanna Lisa Morgan Williams, Sexual Health Advocate; and Melody Smith, Guidance Counsellor at Troy High School.
HerFlow has recognized over 70 Unsung Sheroes since the inception of Celebrate Her in 2019.
Patrick Sinclair (left), Branch Manager, Sagicor Life Montego Bay presents the Unsung Shero Award to Natasha Elizabeth Russell, Founder of Natasha Elizabeth Russell Upliftment Foundation (NERUF) for outstanding work in her community during the award ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
The event culminated with recording artist Tanya Stephens performing some of her hit singles, I am Woman and These Streets.
HerFlow Foundation was established in 2016 by Author and Activist, Shelly-Ann Weeks to empower women and girls about reproductive health and rights through education and mentorship. The foundation's flagship project is to End Period Poverty in Jamaica. To date, HerFlow has donated over 6 million menstrual products to public schools, government-run homes, community organizations, prisons and individuals.
To learn more about HerFlow Foundation and the awardees, visit embraceherflow.com.
Congratulations to all these amazing "Sheroes" - and to Shelly-Ann herself for her pioneering work. She is making a big difference in changing hearts and minds, and educating our young women in the most positive way.
No comments:
Post a Comment