Jamaican Women Of Florida (JWOF) Celebrates Second Anniversary With Empowerment Conference
SOUTH FLORIDA – The Jamaican Women of Florida, Inc. (JWOF) celebrates its second anniversary hosting a Women’s Empowerment Conference on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL 33132. To register and buy tickets, click here.
“This year’s Women’s Empowerment Conference is the first of its kind to be held in Florida focusing on Jamaican Women and how we can be successful through networking, self -development and mentoring,” says JWOF President, Dahlia Walker-Huntington. “We have assembled an outstanding panel of nine women and one male to share their insights on how to succeed in business, and the important element of mentoring not only the next generation but your peers,” added Walker-Huntington.
The day-long event (9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.) will feature three workshops in networking, personal development and mentoring. Attendees at these sessions will be empowered by panels of successful Jamaicans in leadership roles in business and corporate sector, academia, government and non-profit sector as well as future leaders carving careers. These panelists include Jamaica’s former Ambassador to the USA, Her Excellency, Ambassador Audrey P. Marks; environmental engineer, Dr. Celia Earle; philanthropist and mentor, Rosie Gordon-Wallace; philanthropist, author and life coach, Lorna Owens, Esq.; communications officer and life coach, Joanne Creary; development and leadership coach, Sharon Gill; attorney and children’s advocate, Hilary Creary Esq.; attorney and mentor, Marlon Hill, Esq.; and Miss Jamaica Diaspora 2014 and 23 year old commercial pilot, Kimar Muir.
Guests at the luncheon will be electrified by the dynamic speaker Professor Verene Shepherd, Director of Gender Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Dr. Shepherd is a researcher in Caribbean history noted for the study of the position of women in Caribbean history and society. She is also known for her public education initiatives and advocacy for making history accessible and relevant to the common man and the youth. Notably the first woman to Chair the Board of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, Professor Shepherd has been appointed to various national bodies and in 2007, she was appointed Chair of the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee. Buy your tickets, click here.
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The Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) was launched in April 2013, with twenty founding members, their mission giving back to the next generation of young women through mentoring and education programs. JWOF’s membership has now more than doubled to over 50 women.
In its second year, JWOF launched its annual non-renewable scholarship “Powerful Women…Next Generation”. The first recipient, Jamie Noicely, a Jamaican-American woman is currently enrolled at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Noicely continues to exemplify the attributes of the next generation, powerful, Jamaican woman in the Diaspora community through her efforts in volunteer and community involvement.
Among its several community projects, JWOF continued its service to the community by helping Jamaican women who were experiencing personal, health and financial difficulties. Then there was the annual Health and Wellness Conversation which has become a calendar item as the September program has grown to attract large numbers of patrons benefitting in health and nutrition.
The mentorship goal of the organization continued with JWOF members volunteering with the United Way of Broward County Reading Pals Program. JWOF has recently expanded efforts to include the adoption of Melody House For Girls, a residential facility for orphans abandoned girls located in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
JWOF also continued its charitable commitment through its first annual food drive last Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season (2014). More than 1400 pounds of food was donated to LifeNet4Families in Fort Lauderdale, for needy families; and the first annual Toy Drive which raised dozens of toys for children in foster care in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
The Women’s Empowerment Conference & Scholarship Luncheon will feature an all-day Marketplace that will include authors and book signings, as well as vendors showcasing artwork and craft items from Jamaica and Florida. Participating vendors include Sanguninetti Handmade Leather Bags, Serena Ice; and D’Nex Step Sandals & Accessories (Jamaica).
The event is sponsored by: The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB); PNC Bank; Robinson Law & Mediation; Goldson Spine; Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP; Law Offices of Dahlia Walker, PA; Zap Courier; Golding Law Group; Law Offices of Denzle G. Latty, PA; Jamaica National Building Society; Benjamin-Wise & Creary, PA; Veritext; Dr. Jarrett’s Wellness Center; and Victoria Mutual Building Society.
