Behind the Scenes – WOMEN’S MONTH AT ANGLEC EMPOWERING EQUITY HONOUREE PROGRAM
with Jemila Morson Hodge
As the final part of the 2023 Women’s Month the Office of Public Relations at ANGLEC selected a distinguished group of ANGLEC ladies to be featured for their contributions to the company and their unsolicited commitment to supporting equity for women within the workplace and the community. There has been lots of celebration and feedback on this year’s campaign. ANGLEC’s Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) and program creator, uses the 2023 theme and questions received to shed more light on the Women’s Month interviews.
Getting to know her
Greetings! My name is Jemila Morson-Hodge and I am the P.R.O. for ANGLEC, a post I have held proudly for the last 7 years.
Firstly, I’d like to thank you for joining this celebration! If you’re here or have read any of the honouree interviews from Facebook, you are not only appreciated but a valued part of the process to improve gender equity. Please take anything you find helpful, inspiring, or noteworthy from the interviews and share it. Help us keep the conversation going!
For clarity, I am not an honouree, as this program was created by me in hopes of recognizing the wonderful work of my ANGLEC colleagues. If you know me, you know that though my work is very public, I like to keep a low profile. That’s not easy when the post requires me to do a wide range of activities, from working with the media and with external partners, to creating promotional campaigns, managing ANGLEC’s social media and much more. And while I never intended to speak publicly on this program, several of the nominees challenged me to participate, I wiggled out of it several times but when our Head of Department HR posed with the question “how can you be doing all this behind the scenes, encouraging others to participate and celebrate equity if you won’t even do it for yourself?” I knew at that point there was no getting out of it.
It is with that consideration that I take this opportunity to shed some light on my work on this recognition program in hopes that I can give clarity on a few points and share the importance of creating space for others.
BEHIND THE SCENES- Answering Questions received
Why was the program created?
The program was created to honour the phenomenal women at ANGLEC. Women’s empowerment was an important part of my professional career before moving back to Anguilla and joining ANGLEC, from hosting events to aiding in volunteer work and starting my own organization. After falling in love with what I do at ANGLEC and watching the work of my colleagues over the years, I knew ANGLEC would be a great place for a Women’s month program. I started this program in 2019 with an amazing list of 8 honourees who worked in STEM related fields. This is the second round of honourees since that time due to the pandemic and other logistical challenges. I couldn’t be prouder of them and the reception from the public thus far.
What is the criteria?
This is a question I get often, even from nominees themselves as the nomination is a total surprise in most cases. The short answer is there is no “formal” criteria – it’s a non-bureaucratic “see good, reward good” program. Traditional nomination and criteria based programs can create far too many barriers. In many cases biases, application processes and other red tape can not only discourage women form applying themselves but also exclude worthy candidates based on technicalities. For this program, I simply keep an eye out for women who are kind, dedicated to their professions, creative and involved in the community in some way. Thereafter, the annual theme guides the honouree nomination and those who accept their nominations are featured. The goal is to feature a new set of women each year, overtime reaching every woman at ANGLEC.
Do the honourees get trophies?
Not yet, but that’s something we are working towards. At present they get the internal and external gratification/recognition from the interviews, and certificates from ANGLEC.
Do employees have to apply to become an honouree?
As mentioned above, no application is required. Not only is this more equitable, it also ensures that the candidates are genuinely and selflessly working towards the good of all, not towards a reward.
How is the theme selected?
Normally the theme for ANGLEC is selected in line with the annual International Women’s Day (IWD) theme. More information can be found via https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Why is it important to do this as a PR program?
This is a question I’ve gotten variations of internally and externally each time I’ve done this initiative. The main perspectives are that staff recognition should be internal (not on social media) and that staff recognition is a function of HR only. I believe that the human resource/employees of a company should be seen as valuable everywhere and to everyone. And if it’s one thing I know for sure, the people of ANGLEC are well known and well loved in the community. With my post being PR, allowing the public into the company is not only a fun break from the normal rigors but has mutual benefits for our staff and supporters.
Secondly, it is, in my opinion, a shortcoming of many companies to put the burden of recognition on HR alone, and that’s something I’m working to help change for ANGLEC, with HR’s blessing. No one knows the contributions of an employee better than the individual section they work in. And while I technically do not have a “section” in the context of staff members who work directly with me, the success of ANGLEC’s operations, it’s ability to have good relations with the public and my company knowledge to date is in large part a credit to our employees, especially women I’ve worked with. Therefore, I am committed to promote them at appropriate times like this (an internationally celebrated awareness campaign).
Please join me once again in congratulating all the nominees and honourees:
Balance for Better Women in STEM 2019
- Victorine Smith-Brooks (past employee)- https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/08/victorine-smith-brooks-stem-feature/
- Larricia Lacorbiniere – https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/12/larricia-lacorbiniere/
- Jeritza Samuel – https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/09/jeritza-samuel-anglecs-women-in-stem-feature/
- Shenique Clare-Mussington – https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/10/sheniquestem/
- Leah Hughes- https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/09/leah-hughes-anglecs-women-in-stem-feature/
- Mariscia Roach-Grant –https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/08/mariscia-roach-grant-anglecs-women-in-stem-feature/
- Catherine Emmanuel –https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/11/catherine-emmanuel/
- Eulalie Dupuis (retired employee)- https://anglec.com/theplug/2019/03/12/eulalie-dupuis-anglecs-women-in-stem-feature/
Other Selected Nominees:- Lakisha Hughes and Shaunel Reid
Embracing Equity 2023
- Sandra Rogers- https://anglec.com/theplug/2023/03/29/sandra-rogers-womens-history-at-anglec-empowering-equity-honouree/
- Shaunel Reid- https://anglec.com/theplug/2023/03/30/shaunel-reid-womens-month-at-anglec-empowering-equity-honouree/
- Carleen Gumbs – https://anglec.com/theplug/2023/03/28/carleen-gumbs/
- Vanisha Hodge – https://anglec.com/theplug/2023/03/29/vanisha-hodge-womens-history-at-anglec-empowering-equity-honouree/
- Keneisha Gumbs –https://anglec.com/theplug/2023/03/30/keneisha-gumbs-womens-month-at-anglec-empowering-equity-honouree/
Other Selected Nominees:- Laurel Carty, Nicole Oliver, Christia Lake, Laura Ruan and Linda Proctor
Embracing Equity
What is your view on the theme “Embrace Equity”?
The theme of embracing equity is timely and an important point of discussion. The world is in a period of scarce resources and division, both in the workplace and in the greater community. Understanding and addressing the needs of each individual requires the considered creation of opportunities and fair allocation of resources, both tailored to specific needs rather than an “equal” share, or an “across the board” approach. Giving the impartial opportunities needed based on what is lacking for a person or community is the only way to ensure inclusivity and fairness, regardless of the circumstances faced. In a practical sense true equity is simple; strive to leave everything you touch better than you met it by meeting the needs you find. We can all find ways to do that every day.
In your opinion, how can men and women work together to ensure a work environment of Equity?
Men and women can utilize their respective privileges to bridge gaps and break stereotypical barriers for members of the opposite sex. For example, a man in a male dominant field could stand up and provide opportunities for women in the workplace to learn and explore areas of interest normally not offered to women. This is a real-life example from ANGLEC that I’ve had the privilege of experiencing. Our teams in T&D and Generation embrace and encourage women to learn their crafts often, and many of our honourees past and present can attest to how avid they are about inclusion.
And contrary to popular belief, men need the same kinds of support breaking stereotypes. One example is in the area of mental health. For women seeking support or assistance isn’t quite as taboo as it is for men, creating inequities in our workplace and communities. In my opinion, women can and are being vocal about mental for men more so now than before. Understanding and gently dismantling the far-reaching stigmas men face will undoubtedly create more effective, enjoyable, safe and equitable spaces, workplaces included.
How are you able to embrace equity at ANGLEC?
Making programs like this is the main way I embrace equity at ANGLEC. I am also the Chairperson for ANGLEC’S Partnership & Donation Committee and use the opportunity to support equitable and charitable causes. In fact, the first donation made under my purview was the women led initiative Hats & Heels during their inaugural year, 7 years ago. Other than that, I practice embracing equity at ANGLEC the same way I do in my normal life; to uplift and celebrate others not only feels natural but essential as part of my life and work. It takes nothing away from me to create spaces of safety, encouragement and recognition for those who need and deserve it with or without receiving anything back. That’s my daily commitment to equity and has been for years. I visualize it as my cup already being full so I’m always looking for new ways to pour what’s needed into others, no questions asked, no debts to be repaid. It could be something as public as this program, a private investment or a small word of encouragement.
I take this opportunity to thank you once again for reading and challenge you to find new ways to embrace equity and create new opportunities, starting today!
