IWD 2026: Celebrate Her is honouring Jamaican women who transform communities
FOUNDED in 2019 in recognition of International Women’s Day, Celebrate Her was created by HerFlow Foundation to spotlight Jamaican women whose extraordinary service, leadership, and compassion often go unseen. Through the HerFlow Unsung Shero Awards, the initiative has grown into a nationally recognised platform celebrating everyday women who are creating meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
Since its inception, Celebrate Her has honoured 93 HerFlow Unsung Sheroes, recognising women across multiple sectors for their unwavering commitment to service:
• 2019 – 13 Community organizers
• 2021 – 15 Guidance counsellors
• 2022 – 15 School nurses
• 2023 – 20 Jamaican women
• 2024 – 15 Jamaican women
• 2025 – 15 Guidance counsellors.
The inaugural Celebrate Her awards in 2019 recognised 13 outstanding Jamaican women whose groundbreaking community work set the foundation for what would become a growing legacy of impact. As the initiative evolved, its focus expanded to respond to national priorities — most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Celebrate Her honoured 20 dedicated guidance counsellors who went above and beyond to support students during prolonged school closures. Their dedication to mentorship, emotional wellness, and advocacy ensured continuity of care during an unprecedented period.
While not all honourees were able to attend the commemorative photoshoot due to resource constraints, each recipient received personalised plaque presentations and gift packages in recognition of their invaluable service.
On Sunday, March 27, 2022, 15 school nurses were presented with the HerFlow Unsung Shero Award at the Celebrate Her brunch. These awards recognised their unwavering dedication to student health and safety throughout the pandemic. The event was endorsed and supported by the Nurses Association of Jamaica, underscoring the national significance of their contribution.
The celebration continued on March 24, 2024, when the HerFlow Foundation honoured 15 Jamaican women doing exceptional work in their communities at the Celebrate Her Awards. Selected through an open call for nominations on social media, the honourees represented a wide range of initiatives — from animal advocacy to creating safe spaces for unattached youth — highlighting the depth and diversity of women-led community leadership across Jamaica.
On March 25, 2025, Celebrate Her once again recognised 15 guidance counsellors for their mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering support of Jamaica’s students. That year marked a historic milestone with the introduction of the initiative’s first-ever male nominees, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity while remaining rooted in its mission to uplift women-led impact.
Celebrate Her 2026, being held on March 29, will honour 10 Jamaican women who stood at the forefront of community recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. These women led relief efforts, mobilised resources, provided care, and helped their communities rebuild with dignity, resilience, and hope.
Celebrate Her is now accepting nominations for 10 exceptional Jamaican women whose leadership and compassion made a critical difference following Melissa. Submit nominations via e-mail at herflowfoundation@gmail.com.
Jermaine Young of Vere Technical High School was the first male awarded in 2025, because of the number of nominations received from his students.
The 2024 awardees with HerFlow Foundation founder Shelly-Ann Weeks (back row, centre).
