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Dare to board – A reflection of a journey of strong young women, empowerment and inspiration

Dare to board – A reflection of a journey of strong young women, empowerment and inspiration

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Hey there, fellow advocates of girl power and unstoppable change! Buckle up for a whirlwind ride through Soroptimist International Anaparima's Mentorship Program that unfolded over four Saturdays in July-August. As we fasten our seatbelts, let's dive into the exhilarating twists and turns that defined this unforgettable journey of transformation, laughter, and empowerment. Picture this: 19 vibrant young women taking charge of their destinies. Our mission? To inspire passions into action, aspirations into reality. This program wasn't just a mere initiative; it was at the very core of what Soroptimism stands for- empowering women and girls to reach their full potential. We kicked things off with a mental health session that had us all nodding in agreement. From understanding distress to a crash course in tackling anxiety, we dissected it all. And let's not forget the classic "When to Get Help" guide – because embracing your
Endometriosis and the Endo Warrior

Endometriosis and the Endo Warrior

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Chronic and debilitating pain, prolonged and heavy bleeding, chronic fatigue, painful bowel movements, diarrhea and constipation, bloody stools as well as anxiety and depression, are just some of the symptoms a woman with Endometriosis experiences. What exactly is Endometriosis? According to Endometriosis UK, endometriosis is an inflammatory condition whereby cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb or uterus, are found elsewhere in the body. Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb; building up and then breaking down, forming scar tissues and adhesions that can affect organs or even the nervous system. However, unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as blood through a period, this blood has no way to escape causing internal bleeding. I am a surviving Endo Warrior. I am 1 in 10. I have been living in silence
Choose Love

Choose Love

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Valentine's Day or St Valentine's Day has been celebrated since time immemorial and while its beginnings are vague, history has narrowed its origins down to three possible events. It is suggested that the day may have started in commemoration of St Valentine of Terni who defied his emperor’s law and secretly married young couples to spare husbands from war. Another possible beginning is in commemoration of another member of the clergy (some believe it is the same man), an imprisoned priest named Valentine who befriended his jailor’s daughter and wrote a letter signing it “From your Valentine”. Still others believe that the day was meant to commemorate the Roman festival of Lupercalia which celebrated the coming of spring and included fertility rites. Whichever origin story is preferred, over the years the day itself has sparked a thriving trade for florists, chocolatiers as well as the
The Beauty of New Beginnings

The Beauty of New Beginnings

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The new year ushers in the proverbial blank page where one can look towards an endless horizon of possibilities. For most, the resolutions start rolling in accompanied with the hopes of breaking bad habits and embracing healthier and enriching lifestyles. The beauty of new beginnings has the power to fill our hearts with so much inspiration and joie de vivre, it’s almost magical! Our own sisters at Soroptimist International Anaparima have been blessed with new beginnings in various forms. We have new mothers feeling the euphoria of unconditional love for their precious newborns, newlyweds on the path to creating lives together with their significant others, new career opportunities that present the chance to live out self-fulfilling dreams and aspirations and new academic achievements that restore our belief in just how much we are capable of both as Soroptimists and women seeking change. As we walk
Blessings and Beyond

Blessings and Beyond

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As another year comes to a close, we instinctively think back at our year to assess whether it’s been good, bad or indifferent. We are also prompted to evaluate our accomplishments by the media outlets’ “year-end reviews” and all the social media applications who create slideshows of the moments we were lucky enough to capture.  As I look back at my year, my heart is filled with joy at the many wonderful things and experiences I was blessed with. In my professional life, I have had many opportunities to grow and do what I love with the support of my team. In my personal life, my best friends have welcomed husbands, babies and new academic accomplishments of which I am so proud. My family has celebrated birthdays and anniversaries and watching my niece successfully transition from primary to secondary school. I also took up the
The 16 Days are upon us again. What 16 Days you ask? Why is it happening again? And why are we talking about it?

The 16 Days are upon us again. What 16 Days you ask? Why is it happening again? And why are we talking about it?

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The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. It is an opportunity to place focus on the global challenge that is violence against women and girls, which continues to be the most pervasive human rights violation around the world. Unfortunately, although this was started in 1991 – which may sound recent to some of us but is actually over thirty years ago! – we are still not in a position where this push for women’s rights is no longer needed. In 2021, around 45,000 women and girls around the world were killed by family members, of which 65% were perpetrated by current and former intimate partners (UN Women). And around the world really does mean around the
Educate is the key!

Educate is the key!

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Change is the only constant. Globally, there is an evolving change paradigm regarding education availability for women and girls. We  still however have very far to go. In Trinidad & Tobago we are very fortunate to enjoy education as a fundamental right for all.  One of the biggest challenges however for many families is low income. This was further exacerbated due to Covid-19, many girls were forced to exit school at a very young age. There is the ever-present lack of basic supplies  needed for a proper education.   While to many this is not a reality, many young girls today are unable to enjoy their right for a proper education due to lack of resources. Parents are unable to purchase schoolbooks and uniforms.  Inherently, these girls leave school  as young as thirteen and that cycle that society is trying to break of girls getting married
Breast Cancer Awareness 2022 – I wear Pink

Breast Cancer Awareness 2022 – I wear Pink

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A simple old fashioned rocking chair has become our most beloved piece of furniture, although it stands out completely from anything we own...it's somehow the very centre of our home. I wear pink for my grandmother, who despite successfully beating breast cancer died from aggressive metastatic recurrence. The glue that held our family together, the sparkle of our Christmas and Mother's Day forever lost to a disease that affects 1 in 8 women worldwide. Though it is 15 years after her death and the age old saying that time heals all the loss has never really lessened. Her rocking chair is still our favourite spot and it never fails to bring a smile and sense of comfort and peace no matter what the day holds. It will forever be "moi's chair" and the best spot to sit and watch anything on zee tv! I wear
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022 – Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022 – Breast Cancer Screening

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Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Approximately 1 in 8 women during their lifetime will develop breast cancer.   Over the past few decades, mammograms have been the mainstay of screening patients with no symptoms, in an attempt to detect cancers early. Yet, it is common for women to be nervous when it comes to getting mammograms. Many women fail to benefit from mammograms because of: Assuming everything is fine because there is no lump Fears of discomfort during the procedure A previous negative personal experience with breast cancer Fears over the results of a mammogram But this should not keep us from having them done. It is important to remember: Mammograms have helped to increase the detection of breast cancer at early stages AND have helped to decrease mortality from this disease by almost 20% With advances
It’s okay to be small. 56, 17, 67.

It’s okay to be small. 56, 17, 67.

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In May, we had an idea to collect used handbags, fill them with hygiene and beauty products and donate them to less fortunate women whose budgets had no room for personal care items. We set a loose goal of 100 bags. We raised enough funds for 56. Over the July-August vacation, we did mentorship sessions with 17 girls, educating them at the point where school sometimes stops: finances, career paths, mental and physical health. We tried to encourage their goals, to widen their dreams, to push them toward excellence. In August, we did our usual Back to School project where we managed to fill the booklists for 67 children from less fortunate homes. I’ve heard it said that numbers like these are so minimal, that they ought not to be bothered with. That unless our leaders allocate more funds to education, and poverty eradication, our