A Salute to Woman

THE WEEKLY GLEANER | MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2021 | www .jamaica-gleaner.com | I E MMA SUTHERLAND- McCalla, a retired teacher, past student of Moneague Teachers College and businesswoman extraordinaire, celebrates her 91st birthday onn March 29, . Fondly known to many as Ms. Emma, Ma, Auntie, Sister Emma, she was born in Bellas Gate, St. Catherine, and is a member of The Boulevard Baptist church in Jamaica where she actively serves in theWomen’s ministry. She says her passion is serving the elderly and she prepares love packages and delivers them to the homes of seniors and nursing homes. It is in that spirit that she has requested that instead of gifts to honour her birthday celebration, contributions be made to help the homeless in Jamaica. Her children have led the charge to fulfil her wish by organizing the initiative to have backpacks filled with masks, hand sanitizer, reusable water bottles, shampoo, deodorants, toothpastes, toothbrush, razors, combs, and shaving creams be donated.The items will be shipped to the Jamaica Baptist Union, where reps will organize the distribution. McCalla has impacted many lives and is still in touch with many of her past students. She was an active member of the Jamaica Teachers Union, and President of the North St. Catherine Teacher’s Association where she advocated for better wages for teachers and improved learning environment for the students. Those who know Emma Sutherland – McCalla, often use the phrase, “she likkle but she tallawah”to describe her as at just about 5 feet tall, she is strong, fearless and full of spirit. She currently resides in Kingston, Jamaica. 15 THE WEEKLY GLEAN R | MARCH 24 - APRIL 24, 2021 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | WOMENS MONTH FEATURE Emma McCalla donates ‘Homeless Blessings’ backpacks Emma McCalla. CONTRIBUTED NADINE WONG, Ph.D., Dr. Tri, I.G.M, is the CEO of the Alabaster Wellness Clinic and is the creator of Alabaster Beauty Medicinal Ointment Cosmetic Products. She is a clinician who spe- cializes in Hair Mineral Analysis, which determines possible causes of auto- immune disease, mental health, and hair and scalp and their disorders. She believes that minerals are“a vital force to identify and obtaining vital wellness. Minerals are the spark plugs to life!” she states. Wong is a board-certified member of the American Drugless Association and holds a Ph.D. in Trichology, the scientific study of hair and scalp and their disorders, Ph.D. in Cosmetology, Ph.D. in Counselling with a specialty in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Homoeopathy, and Integrative Medicine. Wong’s compilations of di- verse studies speak her intrigue of the interconnections of the human anat- omy and physiology of the body. She has written the books: “What If Your Hair Could Speak, What Would it Say?”, “Sex, Let talk about Sex in a Christian Bed”, and“Sex, Let talk about Sex in a Christian Bed 2.” In 2013 she received The Harry Jerome Health Science Award, the 2003 Trichology Achievement Award, the 2002 Trichology Student of the Year, and 2001 Trichology Pioneer Award. In 2019, she also received the International Women Achievers Award for Woman of Distinction. She has called Canada home for over 30 years but returns to her roots in Jamaica by creating, in 2010, the Alabaster Gate Children’s Charity, a mission to educate children beyond their limitations and to develop their life skills. The charity initiates an International Education Program, which offers a global experience to students on a social study curriculum, and a bursary program that awards the ‘most im- proved’ and ‘highest achiever’ girls and boys and establishes breakfast programs to community schools. In addition to her wellness practice and philanthropy work, Wong is a mo- tivational speaker. Her mantra: “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up”- Jesse Jackson Nadine Wong, philanthropist, wellness advocate Nadine Wong. CONTRIBUTED JAMAICA-BORN TRACY-ANN Brammer is the CEO of iRoc Global Solutions and also serves as PMO for AlbionVentures. Described as an innovative thinker and results-driven technology leader, her career has spanned over 20 years in technology. Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Hofstra University and an MBA from Regis University, and is an ardent ad- vocate for leveraging technology to accelerate business value. She admits to feeling most ful- filled when helping individuals to grow both professionally and per- sonally. She is passionate about the value of networking to build a com- munity, creating spaces, and giving a voice to marginalised individuals. She stays closely connected to her Jamaican roots by spending as much time as possible on the island, and has led and contributed to several fund-raising and voluntary initiatives in her home country. Tracy-Ann Brammer, results-driven technology leader Tracy-Ann Brammer. CONTRIBUTED