Michelle Bernard for Kiwanis luncheon
MICHELLE Denise Bernard, a journalist, political analyst, lawyer, author and president and CEO of the Bernard Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy will be the guest speaker at The Kiwanis Club of New Kingston’s 25th anniversary luncheon on June 18.
The all-female club is made up of a group of professional and businesswomen who came together 25 years ago to give service through the Kiwanis movement in Jamaica. For the past 22 years the club has hosted the luncheon where pioneering women have been recognised for their distinctive contributions or trailblazing efforts.
The Bernard Center is a research and educational institution whose mission is to change the terms of critical domestic and foreign policy debates and challenge the media to discuss those issues in order to improve the socioeconomic status of women and ethnic and religious minorities.
Based in Washington, DC, Bernard has had a distinguished career in domestic and foreign policy matters, particularly matters of racial, social and gender justice and the advancement of democracy, economic liberty and the rights of women.
She was named in the November 2014 issue of Essence magazine as a ‘Rising Star’ on its annual ‘Money & Power’ list.
A contributor for Huffington Post, she is a regular political analyst on CNN and MSNBC, and serves on the executive board of the International Women’s Forum of Washington, DC, as well as the advisory board of the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.
She is also an advocate for children with special needs.
The theme of this year’s luncheon is ‘Women’s voices: Our children matter’. It will be focusing on raising funds for the club’s major project — a blood donor drive through the National Blood Transfusion service; as well as children with special needs through The McCam Child Care & Development Centre; building leadership and entrepreneurship among vulnerable youths in inner city communities; and a scholarship fund which was launched by the club.
