The HerFlow Foundation, in partnership with Lasco Curves, has awarded 18 females who have been working closely with their communities to return them to normal after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards her handed out during a ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Sunday (March 26).

This awards ceremony was executed by the foundation’s Celebrate Her initiative to recognise Jamaican women who are achieving important goals in business and their communities. 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 nine-year-old Leanna Brown who heard me talking about period poverty and raised over 1,000 packs of menstrual products to donate to our drive to end period poverty.”

Weeks added: “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.”

In the meantime, Tracy-Ann Wellington-Reid, category manager, personal care of Lasco Distributors Limited, was elated that Curves has been able to support the 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 recognising 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.”

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, 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 TheFreeLikkleCupboard; 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 recognised more than 70 Unsung Sheroes since the inception of Celebrate Her in 2019.

The event culminated with recording artiste Tanya Stephens performing her hit singles, I am Woman and These Streets.

HerFlow Foundation was established in 2016 by 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 more than six million menstrual products to public schools, government-run homes, community organisations, prisons and individuals.