Eddie Grant
Weekly Gleaner Writer

Jamaica-born staff sergeant Stacy Clarke, received the Community Award at an International Women's Day presentation, "Women Recognising Women," held recently at the Jamaican Canadian Centre.

Clarke attributes much of her success to her strong Jamaican upbringing.

The other recipients are, fellow Jamaican Ettie Rutherford, a past student of Manchester High School, and Rev. Sky Starr from Grenada.

Clarke, who was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2014, has been a member of the Toronto Police Service since 1998.

She began her career working in uniform as a primary response officer. She also spent the early part of her career working in, and developing, units such as: Community Response, Youth Bureau and Intelligence.

In 2004, Clarke became a member of the Homicide Squad and in 2006 transferred to the Community Policing Support Unit. In 2008 she was transferred to the Toronto Police College Street Unit and was promoted to sergeant in 2010.

Other promotions followed, including that of uniform sergeant in 2012. In 2013 she became a member of the Professional Standards Unit and was assigned to the Police and Community Engagement Review.

She currently leads the Learning Development and Standards section of the Toronto Police College.

Making the presentation to Staff Sergeant Clarke was Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, who praised her for her professionalism and outstanding contribution to the police department in Ontario.

Rutherford, a graduate of Manchester High School, Caledonia Junior College and Mico Teachers College, spent her early days in Calgary after her arrival in Canada. While raising her children, she taught full-time and graduated from university with a bachelor's degree, a graduate diploma in curriculum and instruction, and a master's degree in education.

Rutherford has been active in her community and has served in many capacities, including president of the Caribbean - Canadian Association, the Calgary Jamaican Canadian Association and vice-president of the Calgary Multicultural Association, during which time she started a Saturday morning school for Black children. After moving to Ontario, she continued her voluntary work.

Rev Sky Starr, who is involved in multicultural issues, has functioned as a minister, educator, researcher, author, celebrant, advocate and consultant. She is also the founder and the brainchild of Fathers Across Cultures, an organisation which provides mentorship and support to fathers-to-be, to help curb violent deaths. In the Jane-Finch community she was instrumental in the formation of a crisis response network team.

Rev. Starr holds a master's degree in psychology and a bachelor's degree in community and religious studies. She is also a pioneer in providing a response to gun violence.

Over the past 11 years the reverend has focused her research activities on addressing healing and recovery for mothers and victims and survivors of gun violence.

Delivering the keynote address at the annual function, attended by a wide cross section of the Canadian Caribbean community, was doctor Enid Collins, a graduate from Kingston Public Hospital. She said that she obtained her first job at Alexandra Hospital in St. Ann.

In delivering her message to the audience, Adoama Patterson, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association, congratulated the award winners.

"This moment in time is particularly important for women. We are speaking up and leading in unprecedented ways, building on the legacy of women who have gone before us," she said.