Celebrating eight years of inspiring and empowering women across Jamaica and the Caribbean, We Inspire Women will honour former chief justice of Jamaica, Justice Zaila McCalla, with the “Most Inspiring Woman” award at its upcoming women’s wealth and wellness brunch.

The event scheduled for Sunday, August 25, at Jamaica Pegasus hotel, will highlight McCalla and her contributions to the judiciary and society.

“This eighth anniversary is a powerful reminder of the vision that has guided us from the beginning. We Inspire Women is a platform grounded in faith, designed to inspire and uplift women to embrace their fullest potential. Justice McCalla exemplifies the qualities of strength, integrity, and dedication that we seek to highlight and honour through this inaugural award,” said founder and CEO of We Inspire Women Cortia Bingham-McKenzie.

McCalla is a retired judge with more than four decades of service in the judiciary.

She began her career after graduating from The University of the West Indies and the Norman Manley Law School, initially serving as a clerk of courts and later as a crown counsel. She was appointed Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions before becoming a resident magistrate in 1985.

In 1996, McCalla was appointed Master in Chambers of the Supreme Court and became a puisne judge of the Supreme Court in 1997.

Her career reached a pinnacle when she was appointed chief justice of Jamaica on June 27, 2007, a position she held with distinction until her retirement.

McCalla, who also serves as chancellor of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, advising on Canon Law matters, expressed her gratitude for the recognition.

“It is a great honour to be recognised by We Inspire Women. Throughout my career, I have always strived to serve with integrity and fairness, and to contribute positively to the lives of others. To receive this award from an organisation that is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women is truly meaningful to me. I hope that my journey can inspire other women to pursue their own paths with courage and determination,” said McCalla.

Over the past eight years, We Inspire Women has hosted more than 100 self-development workshops, networking events, vision board sessions, and high school tours across Jamaica, impacting thousands of women and girls.

The organisation’s influence has also extended beyond Jamaican borders, with its signature empowerment event being hosted in Trinidad in March 2020.

The upcoming brunch, dubbed ‘Greener Pastures’, is expected to be an inspiring occasion that reinforces We Inspire Women’s commitment to fostering positive social change, increasing self-confidence and awareness among women, and creating opportunities for personal growth and development.