Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am a lover of learning and Google is my best friend, even though it is sometimes to my detriment because I diagnose myself with things that may not even exist. I was born in the beautiful Island of Jamaica, so I bleed black, green and gold. I am the mother of two little humans and to date I feel they are best accomplishment (teary eyes at this thought). I am very interested in travelling, but not a fan of plane rides (so not sure how that’s gonna work). My dream place to visit is New Orleans and this stems from a book I read a few years back. I am not adventurous with food and I feel that Jamaican food is the best in the world, bar none. I have the weirdest thoughts and I’m strongly considering starting a weird thought club, but I am deathly afraid that it might just be, because I am just weird.
What is your personal definition of feminism?
Feminism for me is equity for women and using our collective voices to occupy meaningful and intentional spaces in society. It also means advocacy and activism for issues that affect women from all walks of life
What brought you to the Women’s Centre of Calgary?
I started out as a volunteer at the WC because they work with women and operate from a feminist standpoint. I saw a posting for a new position at the Centre and decided to apply, as I really love my experience as a volunteer and being a staff would give me the opportunity to work more closely with the women that access/use the Centre.
What’s one thing you hope to learn at the Women’s Centre?
To truly learn, and understand how to offer services from a Community Capacity Building Peer Model (CCBPM) standpoint, versus the usual sterile client/expert model.
Describe a woman who you admire or who has influenced your life.
Those women would be my grandmothers. I was raised by my grandparents and from them I learned the value of hard work, how to make much with little. They modelled an attitude of always being on the hustle and not being afraid to put in the work. They taught us to not only think of ourselves, but always be community driven. I can still her their voices saying; “Nuh badda cook nuh likkle bit a fude cuz smaddy mighta just tap a d yaad.” Guess you are wondering what is that? Lolol! Translation: “Don’t make a small amount of food because you don’t know if someone might stop and need something to eat.” But my grandmothers were formidable women who ruled with iron fists, but had very kind and caring hearts.