Excerpt from my column in the Jamaica Observer this week
Philanthropist Shelly-Ann Weekes who founded the HerFlow Foundation has raised awareness of ‘period poverty’ in Jamaica. This is the lack of access to menstrual products and appropriate hygiene facilities; the Foundation’s research revealed that 42 percent of Jamaican girls experience period poverty and may go without sanitary supplies for months at a time.
At their Annual General Meeting last week, The Business and Professional Club of St Andrew, led by President Alassandra Chung disclosed that they have been assisting five high schools with these products. They have also been distributing newborn items, formula and infant clothing to the Glenhope Nursery, The Women’s Centre, Missionaries of the Poor, the Red Cross and Mustard Seed. Adult supplies have also been donated to the Golden Age Home.
The AGM gave an update on the organization’s Scholarship Foundation, established 25 years ago. Treasurer Venita Walker noted that, “to date, the Foundation has granted 127 awards to students from 66 high schools, disbursing a total of $2.6M”.
On the occasion of the Club’s 50th Anniversary, Awards were presented by the President and Immediate Past President Dr Lilieth Nelson, to retired banking executive Monica McNeil and botanist Dr Mearle Barrett, both of whom have served the organization over many years.
Photo captions
St Andrew BPW Executive: Ms. Allasandra "Sandy" Chung - President (2nd left) and l-r standing:
Dr. Marcia Williams - 2nd Vice President
Mrs Monica Mc Neil - 1st Vice President
Mrs Gloria Langrin - Executive Member
Ms.Venita Walker -Treasurer
Dr. Lilieth Nelson - Immediate Past President
Seated - Ms. Lynrose Gooden - Secretary
Not in photo - Executive Member Mrs. Carol Dexter Dwyer
BPW Honourees: BPW St. Andrew President Alassandra Chung (left) and Immediate Past President Dr Lilieth Nelson (right) with honourees Dr Mearle Barrett (2nd left) and Monica McNeil.
