Andrea Downer, Gleaner Writer
FOR YEARS women have been making significant contributions to the societies in which they live. Tomorrow, on International Women's day, The Gleaner joins in saluting all women and their unique achievements through its annual publication, Phenomenal Women.
The stories that will be told in the pages of this exciting magazine are uniquely different yet, sometimes heartbreakingly similar. From her home in Duckensfield in St. Thomas, Dr. Rowenda Cordella Watson, a Naturopathic doctor, heals her patients through exercise and music and the use of herbs.
Margaret Parchment, who was born in England, has lived in Jamaica since 1968 and has the distinction of being the only female trainer at Caymanas Park in a male- dominated industry.
FLASHBACKS
Jenny Cameron, the mother of Michael Gayle, the mentally challenged man who died after he was beaten by members of the security forces in his community in Olympic Gardens after he allegedly breached a curfew, still has flashbacks of that terrible day years after the event. However, despite the pain that consumes her, she says she has been able to forgive those who killed her son.
"Sometimes I see a policeman drive past and I say to myself, 'Look at him and my son is murdered and no questions answered'," she said. "But then, I remember it's another woman's child and it makes no sense hating him."
Professor Norma McFarlane Anderson has dedicated her life to excelling academically and taking care of her family. She has worked as a consultant to the Pan American Health Organisation, and participated in HIV/AIDS related research.
HELPING OTHERS
Valerie Jackson-Daley does not like to see people hungry, so despite a slight disability and a full-time job, she always finds the time to help others. She is involved in the Poor Relief Department's Street people programme, and on weekends and public holidays she helps to cook and hand out food to homeless people on Kingston's streets. She also cooks at The Lord's Place in downtown Kingston, which is run by Missionaries of the Poor.
Cecile Lemonious is a survivor. She has endured innumerable hardships and has survived to tell her tale. She conceived 17 children, 15 of whom are alive. She had her first child when she was 16 years old and for 16 years, she conceived a child each year. She is one of those women who believed that she should have all the children that she was capable of having. Ms. Lemonious and the father of her children live in Trelawny and farm mainly yams to take care of their large family, most of whom are now grown.
In their stories you will find echoes of your own struggles, glimpses of your pain, stories made memorable because of the women whom they are about; phenomenal women.
