Women have made indelible impacts. Their barrier-breaking influence and contributions to society, innovativeness, and originality are under-told globally. HERstory has been full of pioneers — from women who fought for their rights, worked hard for equality, mastered politics, and fostered entrepreneurship to women who strive for excellence in education, aviation, science, sports, and the arts, fashion, and beauty. Women have made phenomenal strides, and like Beyonce’s hit, they have indeed ruled the world.
Here are the stories of select women who have etched their names in HERStory as trailblazers.
Women’s accomplishments in politics recently took center stage across the media. This influence, however, is not a new phenomenon. Across the world, within our diaspora, our women’s impact on politics is immeasurable. Eugenia Charles of Dominica, the granddaughter of slaves, as the country’s first woman lawyer and the first woman prime minister to serve in the Caribbean. Known as the “Iron Lady of the Caribbean,” Eugenia Charles served three terms as Prime Minister, resuming her law practice after retiring upon her loss in 1995.
Similarly, in Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller’s political influence and activities saw her rise through the People’s National Party’s ranks. With 43 years in representative politics, Portia created HERstory as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister. Demonstrating the value of hard work and strategic positioning, Portia started as a councillor in the Kingston & St Andrew Corporation, continuing her political journey, serving in several cabinet positions leading to her pioneering role.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a politician and practicing lawyer, also has the distinction of many firsts including, Trinidad and Tobago’s first female Prime Minister, Attorney General, and Leader of the Opposition; the first woman to chair the Commonwealth of Nations, and the first woman of Indian origin to be a prime minister of a country outside of India and the wider South Asian region.
Illustrating the phrase, “it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind,” Madam Rose Leon was a businesswoman and the first female government minister in Jamaica. She was the only person to hold a post in the Cabinet of both the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People’s National Party (PNP) governments. After serving as a Minister of Health and Housing in the JLP government, a decade later, she switched political allegiance to the PNP, subsequently serving as Minister of Local Government in Michael Manley’s administration. Finding balance, during her years of public service, she continued her primary business as a manufacturer of cosmetics and operator of the Leon School of Beauty Culture.
Since proudly heralding Madame C.J. Walker as the original “self-made woman,” numerous women have created empires, starting with a vision and steel determination. Cheryl Bowles is a Trinidadian biochemist, entrepreneur, founder, and managing director of The Herbarium Ltd, the parent company of Cher-Mère. Before the launch of her company, Bowles worked at Nestlé’, earning the distinction as the company’s first woman Executive, Chief Chemist, Head of Quality Control, and Head of Research Development in Trinidad & Tobago. Not deterred by her lack of experience in the beauty and skincare industry, Bowles created the Cher-Mère brand, complete with day spas in Trinidad and Canada. Ensuring a legacy and the longevity of her empire, Bowles, alongside her daughter Dr. Aba Bowles-Mortley, Ph.D. in Materials and Chemical Engineering, has continued to grow the company and distribution internationally.
Like the widely recognized accomplishment of Bessie Coleman as the first in Aviation globally, Patrice Washington soared into HERstory. Patrice is a Bahamian airplane pilot whose career signifies a series of firsts. She was the first black graduate of Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida; the first woman pilot of Bahamasair; first black woman captain of a major U.S. air service, and the first black female pilot hired by the United Parcel Service.
Women have been instrumental in rebellions for freedom. Like Queen Nanny of the Maroons and National Hero of Jamaica, St. Lucia’s Flore Bois Gaillard fought for St. Lucia’s emancipation from the British. She was an enslaved mulatto woman whose protest of her “owner’s” harsh treatment and several rape incidents fueled her escape from the plantation, taking refuge in the woods, along with several Maroons. Flore quickly rose as the military Leader for the “French Army in the Woods,” made up of Maroons and slaves who met secretly to plan a rebellion and declare St Lucia a free country after getting rid of the British. Flore led her army in the Battle of Rabot.
Breaking through the airwaves, Una Marson, Jamaican, was an early feminist, poet, playwright, journalist, social activist, and child advocate with many firsts. Una made her impact being the first woman in Jamaica, of any race, to find, own, publish and serve as the editor for a publication; her magazine, The Cosmopolitan. More than a decade later, Una made history again. She became the first black female broadcast journalist at the BBC, serving from 1941 to 1958. The BBC Empire Service hired Una to work on the program “Calling the West Indies.” A year later, she became the producer of that program.
Inside the melting pot of cultures, being fashion-forward, women across the Caribbean, like Shiona Turini, has styled their way into HERstory. Born and raised in Bermuda, she is a trailblazer in the fashion industry. At 21 years old, Shiona moved to New York and worked at Yves Saint Laurent, followed by periods at W Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. Pivoting to freelance styling, Shiona joined forces on projects with American Express, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Salvatore Ferragamo, Christian Dior, and Stuart Weitzman. Notably, she worked with performers including Solange, whom she styled for two music videos and the Met Gala. She has also done costumes for movies such as “Queen & Slim,” “Insecure,” and for a pilot of FX’s drama series “Y.”
Education has been the launching pad for numerous women pushing for something different. The daughter of Guyanese immigrants, Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré, exemplifies self-determination and the importance of education, instilled by her grandmother, in overcoming hardships. She is the first appointed black judge in the history of Quebec. In Canada’s history, she is also the first black dean of a law school, the University of Windsor Faculty of Law, her alma mater, where she was the only black student in her class. She is an only child who lost her mother early in life and faced numerous challenges and instability, including six different elementary schools because of her father’s employment barriers.
As women, we understand that the heart only wants what it desires, and “she” will demolish whoever or whatever stands in its way. Interracial marriage in the United States was banned in 1664 and not overturned until 1967. Mildred Loving, who was of African American and Native American descent, became a reluctant activist in the civil rights movement of the 1960s when she and her white husband, Richard Loving, successfully challenged Virginia’s ban on interracial marriage. In marrying, the couple violated Virginia’s Racial Integrity Act. After being ordered to leave the state, Mildred wrote to then-Attorney General Robert Kennedy, who suggested she contact the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Following Loving v. Virginia’s case, the Supreme Court struck down the Virginia law in 1967, simultaneously ending the remaining ban on interracial marriages in other states.
The magic of HERstory is a powerful one. These women have collectively paved the way, leaving a blueprint
as a guide for each of us. The power is within you. Unlock that power, dream big and bold, unleash your
creativity, find your niche and conquer your corner of the world. Leave your mark in HERstory!
Contributed by Dr. Maxine Wilson
ABOUTDr. Maxine Wilson is a consultant, coach, and speaker with over 30 years of experience with public, private, and non-profit sector entities. Maxine is a reliable and resourceful visionary who resists status quos and limitations, pushing to find solutions to whatever challenges and obstacles stand in the way of opportunity. With a desire to help individuals, women-owned and minority-owned businesses grow, compete and thrive, Maxine is the founder of Wilson’s Way for Winning, providing leadership coaching, consultation on strategic management, professional development, and competitive positioning.
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