American child activists to lead JWNF female empowerment push

Thirteen-year-old American activist Marley Dias will be the face of this year's push by the J. Wray and Nephew Foundation (JWNF) towards female empowerment.

The initiative that includes the child author comes by way of a partnership with the Kingston Book Festival and was announced by Tanikie McClarthy Allen, JWNF's director of public affairs and sustainability, during the JWNF's pensioners' luncheon in New Kingston last Tuesday.

"In November 2015, Marley launched a campaign called #1000BlackGirlBooks with the goal of collecting and donating 1,000 books that feature black girls as the main character," said McClarthy Allen.

"Today, she has accumulated more than 11,000 books and has landed a book deal of her own.

"In her book, Marley Gets It Done: And So Can You, she encourages children to make positive changes in their communities," noted McClarthy Allen

More than 60 members of the company's pension scheme attended the grand reunion at which a call was made for volunteers to assist the activities of the JWNF, which has as its mission 'transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica'.

The foundation does most of its work in areas surrounding its operations at Spanish Town Road in Kingston, New Yarmouth in Clarendon, and Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth.

Aim of partnership

Since its birth in 2012, the JWNF's activities have increased tremendously. While announcing its main plans for 2018, McClarthy Allen noted that Marley would be the face of inspirational activities for International Women's Day.

"We have invited 60 girls from schools in the Kingston 11 area to meet and greet Marley, hear her inspirational story, and receive signed copies of her book," McClarthy Allen outlined.

"This partnership will be geared towards moulding young girls and encouraging them to do anything they put their minds to."

Last year, the JWNF engaged Jamaica's former female boxing champion, Alicia Ashley, as the role model for an empowerment tour, which numbered among the uplifting JWNF projects that are gearing at expansion.

JWNF pensioners sign up to volunteer

A call by the J. Wray & Nephew Foundation (JWNF) for volunteers to work on its projects to empower Jamaican women was answered by approximately two-thirds of the company's pensioners who attended a function last Tuesday, held to show appreciation for their years of service.

"Today's function was great. I really enjoyed it and especially because it's the first time that I'm coming to a function where a company has set up a foundation to help people, including the young, in our communities," said Diane Robertson, a J. Wray and Nephew pensioner.

"Because I work with community personnel, especially in the area of tourism, I find this to be very good. It's the first I'm hearing a company dealing with this and it's great," added Robertson.

Andrea McLean, who dedicated 46 years to the company, shared similar sentiments.

"I am so glad that I got this invitation to meet again because we were a family when we were at J. Wray and Nephew and we always look forward to this luncheon," said McLean.

"I like a community spirit. I'd like for everybody to be on board, and as they say, 'we have to live and love one other'," added McLean.