Haitian women come in all hues, shapes, sizes and skill sets. As we celebrate International Women’s Month, The Haitian Times is pleased to highlight just a few across backgrounds, careers and lifestyles that we see making a difference in their chosen fields and how they live. Some are prominent, others not so much. They all share a passion for seeking to make a positive impact as they move through the world, and we will feature some of them throughout the month.
Know a Haitian woman who should be included on this list? Email submissions@haitiantimes with a little bit about them.

Name: Nance Mai Pretto
Profession: International entrepreneur
City/country of residence: Splits time between New York, N.Y., Washington, D.C., USA; Montréal and Toronto, Canada
Ties to Haiti: Both parents born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Owns and operates multiple businesses; only Black female-owned and controlled franchisee of Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins; owns businesses in Toronto and Montrèal, including the Carefree Boat Club.
Impact: Through her nonprofit in Haiti, the Go Figure Foundation, she hosts the annual “Skate for Something Great” benefit to help facilitate youth empowerment; through the National Advancement for Haitian Professionals, advocates for female entrepreneurship in Haiti; works to fight racism and discrimination in corporate environments.

Name & Age: Gessica Généus, 36
Profession: Director, actress
Cities/countries of residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Montréal, Canada; Paris, France
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Recent film “Freda” featured at the Cannes Film Festival and by the Golden Globe Awards; 2011 scholarship from the Acting International de Paris; documentary “Douvan jou ka leve” appeared in over 20 festivals and won six awards.
Impact: Addresses issues of socio political reality in modern-day Haiti and women in Haitian society; works for the UN to help implement programs for reconstruction after 2010 earthquake; elevates awareness and knowledge of Haiti through international cinema.

Name: Nedgine Paul Deroly
Profession: Nonprofit leader
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti, raised in Connecticut
Notable Achievements: Was named a Forbes Magazine “30 Under 30” social entrepreneur in 2016 and an Obama Foundation fellow two years later.
Impact: Deroly’s organization, Anseye Pou Ayiti, promotes teacher excellence and student success to raise educational outcomes in underserved and rural areas in Haiti.

Name: Karine Jean-Pierre
Profession: Media specialist, campaign organizer
Ties to Haiti: Born in Martinique to Haitian parents, raised in Queens Village
Notable achievements: As a deputy White House press secretary, in 2021 Jean-Pierre became the first Black woman in 30 years to lead a press briefing.
Impact: Jean-Pierre previously served as an adviser to the Biden and Obama presidential campaigns. She also served as chief public affairs officer at MoveOn.org and was a political commentator with MSNBC.

Name: Yvrose Pierre
Profession: Mayor of Cap-Haïtien
City/country of residence: Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: First woman elected Mayor of Cap-Haïtien in 2020, President of the Association of Women Mayors of the North.
Impact: Destroyed Shada 2, a slum where gang activities was spreading, in June 2020; distributed masks and hand sanitizers and set up hand-washing stations at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Name: Marie Ghislaine Mompremier
Profession: Minister of Women Condition and Women’s Rights, Lawyer
City/country of residence: Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Certified nurse; was the minister of Social Affairs and Labor from January 2021 to November 2021 while being the minister of Women Condition and Women’s Rights.
Impact: Fight for women’s rights in Haiti; initiated a program to enable nurses to become certified midwives.

Name: Charnette Frederic
Profession: Irvington, N.J. council member, chairperson for the National Haitian-American Elected Officials Network
City/country of residence: Irvington, N.J., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Cazale
Notable achievements: First Haitian-American woman elected to office in N.J.; instrumental in helping to make Irvington environmentally sustainable; named a Sustainability Hero in N.J.
Impact: Works to elevate Haitian-American voices in national political landscape; leads initiatives like helping to translate voter ballots into Creole; organizes Haitian Independence Day celebrations.

Name: Judith François
Profession: Author, writer, educator
City/country of residence: Chicago, I.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Author of children’s book series, “Meet the Three Princesses”; author of poetry collection “Breakthrough to New Beginnings”; plans to start a nonprofit organization to contribute to spreading literature and better education in Haiti.
Impact: Through her books, celebrates Haitian culture and the sacrifices Haitian parents make to give their kids a better life; organized successful Kickstarter campaign to donate 500 copies of her childrens’ books in French and Creole to Haitian children; wants to empower Haitian children to see themselves in a more positive light.

Name: Haitian Ladies Network
Cities/countries of residence: Haitian women throughout the world
Notable achievements: Have led statewide national and political campaigns to craft global policy; some members are former U.S. presidential appointees; helped curate art and culture at public institutions, including the Embassy of Haiti.
Impact: Spread awareness and advocacy for Haitian women on a worldwide level; bring Haitian women together to network and establish community; work to actively promote and celebrate Haitian culture.

Name & Age: Ruthzee Louijeune, 35
Profession: Boston City Council Member
City/country of residence: Boston, M.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: First Haitian-American to serve on the Boston City Council; student attorney at the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau; senior counsel for Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 Presidential Campaign.
Impact: Helps low-income individuals in Massachusetts find affordable housing; actively advocate for Haitian-American immigrants in Boston; addresses racial justice and equity.

Name: Marie Danielle Dorvilier
Profession: Leader of woman’s network Manman Troll, runs nonprofit in Cité Soleil, Ligue des Femmes de Cité Soleil
City/country of residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Notable achievement: Candidate for co-mayor of Cité Soleil in 2016
Impact: Actively works to promote female entrepreneurship, children’s education and vocational training throughout Haiti

Name & Age: Elsy Dinvil, 50
Profession: Chef, author, food technologist
City/country of residence: Portland, O.R., USA
Ties to Haiti: Raised in Jérémie
Notable achievements: Ran Haitian food pop-ups at Tamale Boy; successfully branched out to start her own Haitian food business, Creole Me Up; featured multiple times in Portland Monthly
Impact: Celebrates Haitian cuisine through her business; works to fight stereotypes about Haiti prominent in mainstream media

Name: Anne Piervil
Profession: Attorney
City/country of residence: Orlando, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: 2020 Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by the Florida Bar Association; successfully advocated for the re-launch of the Farmworker Advisory Council in Florida
Impact: Works to significantly improve the lives of Haitian-Americans in Florida and expand the legal resources available to them, spent her academic career advocating for Haitian immigrants

Name: Esther Piervil
Profession: Division Director of Research, Graduate Medical Education at HCA Healthcare
City/country of residence: Atlanta, G.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: Certified Health Education Specialist and Project Management Professional with more than 10 years of experience designing and conducting Community Health research; significant experience working in chronic disease prevention and management in high risk populations
Impact: Works to streamline wellness programs and health initiatives via the application of evidence-based theories and innovative, culturally-tailored implementation models, has written academic papers advocating for more healthcare resources provided to Haitians and the Black community at large

Name: Edvige Jean-François
Profession: Journalist, Media Consultant, Television Producer, Content Creative
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Award-winning multilingual journalist who has received recognition for her reporting, including eight regional and national Emmy Awards nominations, several Tellys, a NAMIC Vision Award, and was a contributor to a CINE Golden Eagle Award and a Peabody Award, while a Senior Producer at CNN.
Impact: Groundbreaking reporter known for highlighting important stories in Haiti, including the 2010 earthquake. She has covered the White House, developments at the U.S. Congress, and news and features in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Name & Age: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 43
Profession: Representative for Florida’s 20th Congressional District (Broward and Palm Beach Counties)
City/country of residence: Miramar, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: Only Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress; Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Health Services Incorporated; Founding member of McCormick Law Firm

Haitian Professionals.
Name: Gepsie Metellus
Impact: Actively works to fight against racism and hate crimes, proudly advocates for Haitian population in her district; works on addressing issue of access to health care
Profession: Executive Director of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Port-au-Prince
Notable achievements: Named Woman of Impact by In the Company of Women; awarded the distinction of Miami Icon; recipient of Florida International University’s Kal Kovens Distinguished Community Medal
Impact: Frequently present on national media talking about issues that impact the Haitian-American community, advocates for the well-being of Miami’s Haitian community, provides resources for education, employment and health care through Sant La

Name & Age: Edwidge Danticat, 53
Profession: Novelist and short story writer
Ties to Haiti: Born in Port-au-Prince
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Notable achievements: Yale University honorary degree; 2017 Neustadt International Prize for Literature; 2019 National Book Critics Circle Award for “Everything Inside”
Impact: Author of dozens of award-winning novels addressing issues of Haitian national identity, mother-daughter relationships, and the Haitian diaspora, advocates for issues impacting Haitians at home and overseas, addresses impactful elements of Haitian society, including the role of trauma in national consciousness

Name: Danielle Legros Georges
Profession: Poet, essayist, academic
City/country of residence: Boston, M.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Gonaïves
Notable achievements: Awarded title of Boston’s Poet Laureate in 2015; Champion of Artists Award from the Massachusetts Artists Coalition; received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College in 2016
Impact: Through her novels and poetry, highlights issues like racism, oppressive tropes about Haiti and the devastating aftermath of the 2010 earthquake; promotes the importance of literature and history throughout the world; has established scholarship programs for writers of color

Name: Elsie St. Louis
Profession: CEO/Executive Director of Haitian Americans United for Progress
City/country of residence: New York, N.Y., USA
Ties to Haiti: From Gonaïves
Notable achievements: HAUP honored by the New York Mets at Citi Field in 2010; appointed by former Mayor Bill de Blasio to his transition team of 60 prominent backers to help select city’s next mayor in 2013; President Council of York College
Impact: Through HAUP, helped bring essential supplies to Haiti following last year’s earthquake; under her guidance, HAUP has received awards for social services provided to Haitian-Americans in Cambria Heights, including immigration and health programs; actively works on connecting New York’s Haitian community with info and resources about COVID-19

Name: Marleine Bastien
Profession: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Executive Director of FANM
Ties to Haiti: Born in Pont-Benoit
Notable achievements: Founding member of Haitian American Grassroots Coalition, worked on The Haitian Immigration Refugee Fairness Act of 1998, received the “Stanley Milledge Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2015 from the ACLU.
Impact: Lifelong activist working tirelessly for issues directly impacting Haitian-Americans throughout the country, including TPS, parents rights and support for those diagnosed with HIV.

Name: Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn
Profession: Politician
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American, raised in Brooklyn, New York
Notable Achievements: The first Haitian-American elected to the New York State legislature from New York City, Bichotte-Hermelyn currently represents District 42 in the assembly. In January 2020, she was selected to chair the Brooklyn Democratic Party, making her the first Black woman to chair a county party.
Impact: As a District 42 Assembly Member, Bichotte-Hermelyn serves on multiple committees and chairs the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). Prior to politics, she taught math in city public schools and worked as an engineer in the telecommunications industry.

Name: Farah Louis
Profession: Politician
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York
Notable achievements: Became the first Haitian-American woman elected to the New York City Council in 2019.
Impact: As a council member for District 45, Louis chairs the Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sightings and Maritime Uses.

Name: Marie Woodson
Profession: Politician
Ties to Haiti: Born in Port-de-Paix, currently resides in Hollywood, Florida
Notable achievements: In November 2020, Woodson became the sole Haitian-American representing Broward County in the Florida House of Representatives. She formerly chaired the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women, a government board.
Impact: Woodson represents District 101 in the Florida House. She serves on multiple committees and subcommittees devoted to children’s issues, health care and education.

Name: Marjorie Valbrun
Profession: Managing Editor, Inside Higher Ed
City/country of residence: Washington, D.C., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable works: Recipient of 2014 Perry and Alicia O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism; award recipient for international, feature and editorial writing; former Alicia Patterson Fellow, former Nieman Fellow
Impact: Has written impactful stories about everything from the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake to disparities in higher education

Name: Lody Jean
Profession: Judge at Miami-Dade County Court
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L, USA
Ties to Haiti: Raised in Haiti to Lebanese parents
Notable works: First Haitian-American woman to serve on the Miami-Dade County Court; recipient of Haitian Lawyers Association law school scholarship while attending St. Thomas University; former chair of the Florida Bar’s Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee
Impact: Works to provide civil services to immigrants throughout Miami-Dade County, including assisting people of Haitian descent apply for naturalization; addresses issues of deportation at forums; focuses on other legal issues like eviction and TPS

Name: Valery Gabriel
Profession: K-12th grade educator
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American, born and raised Haiti
City/country of residence: New York City, N.Y., USA
Notable works: Life changer of the year 2021-2022 Nominee, Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers Five Year Recognition Award 2021-2022
Impact: A first-generation teacher and former ENL student, she has traveled to 25 countries, many of which she taught abroad; encouraged her students all over the world to become the best version of themselves; takes a keen interest in their social and emotional well-being; continues to advocate and empower Haitian youth through numerous organizations she volunteers for by organizing toy drives, scholarships and by helping to raise funds through the Rockland County Haiti Relief
Quote: “We rise by lifting others up” – Robert Ingersoll

Name: Jenny Menelas
Occupation: Transportation Coordinator for Jaspen Group and Public Relations Specialist/Project Coordinator for Haitian Association of Indiana
City/country of residence: Indianapolis, I.N., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable works: Volunteer Natural Helper at Indianapolis’ Immigrant Welcome Center
Impact: Central to welcoming Haitian immigrants and Haitian Americans to their new city by acknowledging needs and directing them to appropriate services

Name: Rose Gbadamassi
Profession: Executive Director Haitian Community of Minnesota
City/country of residence: Minneapolis, M.N., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable work: Volunteer, community organizer and activist for past 22 years.
Impact: Raising funds and awareness to support Haitian-Americans living in Minnesota, and Haitians living in Haiti, transforming their lives positively.

Name & Age: Sandra Jean Charite, 38
Profession: Mental Health Counselor
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Notable works: Former journalist, has created inspirational journals for young girls and women, blogger, songwriter, podcaster and author of three books: “Broken Crayons Still Color,” “Picking Up My Pearls from the Altar,” and “The Lies I Told Myself: Only Truth Can Set You Free.
Impact: Writing compelling books to inspire and encourage people on their spiritual journey.

Name & Age: Delphine Gardère, 37
Profession: Owner and CEO of Société du Rhum Barbancourt
City/country of residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Notable works: Won legal victory to assume full control of Société du Rhum Barbancourt, the oldest and biggest run exporter in Haiti; ensured the company hired 500 people and works with 3,000 farmers in a co-op manner, working to expand Rhum Barbancourt through new products and international development
Impact: As the second woman to run the company, actively strives to promote women’s empowerment throughout Haiti, works on other social issues, including education, funds mobile medical clinics for Rhum Barbancourt employees and their families

Name & Age: Dotie Joseph, 42
Occupation: Representative for Florida’s 108th House District
City/country of residence: North Miami, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Recipient of “Women on the Rise Award” from the Dade County Bar Association, “Woman of Substance Award” from Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, named a Florida Legal Elite Government Attorney by Florida Trend magazine
Impact: Civil rights activist focused on gun control legislation, tenant protections and fair treatment for disabled individuals

Name: Ibi Zoboi
Occupation: Author of young-adult fiction
City/country of residence: Maplewood, N.J., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable works: New York Times bestselling author of “American Street,” National Book Award finalist, co-author of Walter Award-winning “Punching the Air”
Impact: Has established community-based programs for teen girls both in New York and Haiti, actively works through her stories to raise representation of Haitians in literature, magnifies discussion about the intersection of cultural identity, gentrification and class status

Name & Age: Jocelyne Palenquet, 63
Profession: Human Rights Officer at the United Nations
Ties to Haiti: Born in La Montagne, Jacmel
Notable works: Founded GRAEFES (Groupe d’Appui et d’Encadrement aux Femmes) in 1997, organized first meeting of Haitian and Dominican women in 1999 for a symposium aimed at strengthening laws to fight violence against women
Impact: For years, has been advocating for the reform of Haiti’s educational system, mainly on a primary level

Name: Barbara Jacques
Profession: Founder and Creator of JACQ’S
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable works: Awarded “Top 40 Under 40” by Miami Herald Business Journal in 2012, selected by Legacy Magazine the following year as one of “South Florida’s 40 Under 40 Leaders of Today & Tomorrow,” JACQ’S is a Green America-certified business approved by PETA
Impact: Actively works to change the way the beauty industry views skincare for women of color, strives to eliminate toxic chemicals in cosmetics frequently used by Black women, volunteers as a reading mentor for elementary students and at-risk youth

Name: Nzingah Oniwosan
Profession: Entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, holistic health-and-wellness coach
City/country of residence: Fort Lauderdale, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable works: Creator of 365zing app helping Black women achieve their health goals, creator of “Yes Baby I Like It Raw” brand, founded Sankofa’s Child cultural arts company
Impact: Helps women of color heal their physical bodies by addressing mental, emotional and spiritual issues, utilizes art to help transform lives, facilitates entrepreneurship throughout Haiti

Name: Karm Syndia-Augustin
Profession: Founder of Espwa Demen
City/country of residence: Boston, M.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born and raised in Haiti
Notable works: 2012 OPACH Award for outstanding contributions and dedication to Haitian national folklore and heritage, 2013 Dean Award from Pine Manor College for outstanding contributions to the community, 2016 Partners in Excellence Award by Partners Healthcare
Impact: Through Espwa Demenn, helps children in rural Haiti to pursue education, works to actively promote Haitian culture in entertainment, art and dance
Notable quote: “Know yourself: no one can take that away from you when you know who you are.”

Name & Age: Ertha Pascal-Trouillot, 79
Occupation: Haiti’s provisional president of Haiti for 11 months in 1990 and 1991.
City/country of residence: Haitian, living in Port-au-Prince
Notable works: Haiti’s provisional president of Haiti for 11 months in 1990 and 1991, Justice of the Haitian Supreme Court (1988-1990), Judge of the Federal Court of Haiti (1975-1988)
Impact: Leadership and occupational role model for women worldwide.
Notable quote: Regarding her acceptance of the presidential position, she said, “I accepted the position in the name of Haitian women. I did it as a service to my country. I did it with love and determination.”

Name: Michelle Lisa Polissaint
Occupation: Education and Community Engagement Manager at Oolite Arts, Visual artist and arts organizer
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Notable work: Resident artist at Bakehouse Art Complex, 2018 Creator Award Winner, Oolite Arts.
Thoughts on her work: “At its simplest and most honest, my work responds to my experiences. Utilizing photography, textiles, and community engagement, my practice reflects the world through my black, queer, Haitian lens.”

Name: Marie-Marcelle Deschamps
Occupation: Deputy Director of GHESKIO
City/country of residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Notable works: Chosen by senior Haitian and U.S. doctors to complete fellowships at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Walter Reed Military Hospital, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; received the Legion of Merit award in 2004 from former French president Jacques Chirac for her work regarding AIDS care and research.
Impact: Pioneering medical doctor in Haiti responsible for creating a bevy of social services, including primary school for orphaned and destitute students, a vocational program for former commercial sex workers and microfinance for women entrepreneurs; renowned internationally for her groundbreaking research on HIV/AIDS.

Name & Age: Bayyinah Bello, 73
Occupation: Founder of historical research organization Fondasyon Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur Dessalines, professor of history at the State University of Haiti
City/country of residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Notable works: Honoree in 2014 at the Gala des Femmes en Flammes for humanitarian work in Haiti, author of “Jean-Jacques Dessalines: 21 Facts About His Life”, holds lectures across the world about Haitian and Pan-African history, as well as linguistics
Impact: Internationally-renowned scholar, author and activist known for pioneering educational studies about Haitian history and culture

Name: M. Florine Démosthène
Occupation: Artist
City/country of residence: Haiti/New York, N.Y., USA
Ties to Haiti: Raised in Port-au-Prince
Notable works:“Between Possibility and Actuality” exhibition in Chicago, “When We Gather” exhibition in Washington, D.C., “In the Realm of Love” series showing in Europe
Impact: Versatile and multi-faceted artist exploring a variety of subjects through mixed media, including the African concept of love, the role of self free of societal constructs and the narratives of Black female heroines.

Name: Guerline Jozef
Occupation: Co-founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), a US-based nonprofit organization advocating for fair and humane immigration policies.
City/State: San Diego, C.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable works: To be honored by the Women’s Refugee Commission at its Voices of Courage Awards luncheon, May 3. The annual event distinguishes those women fighting for the rights of displaced women and girls.
Impact on the community: HBA featured significantly during the Del Rio bridge crisis in September of last year, providing social services and advocacy to the many immigrants who crossed the southern border into the United States.
Josef has dedicated her life to bring awareness to issues that affect us all locally and globally such as Immigration, Social justice, Domestic Violence, Child Sexual abuse.
In addition to her work at HBA, Josef also co-founded the Black Immigrants Bail Fund — a national project of the HBA in response to the high bond amount required of Black immigrants to provide free assistance and relief. And with the support of Black-led organizations is involved with the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs to promote social and economic justice, civic participation & empowerment of Black and African immigrants and refugees.

Name: Régine Michelle Jean-Charles
Occupation: Director of the Africana Studies Program at Northeastern University
City/country of residence: Boston, M.A. USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable works: Has written multiple books focusing on the Haitian diaspora, France and Caribbean literature, including “Conflict Bodies: The Politics of Rape Representation in the Francophone Imaginary,” “A Trumpet of Conscience for the 21st Century” and “Looking for Other Worlds: Black Feminism, Literary Ethics, and Haitian Fiction”
Impact: Actively explores a variety of important subjects through her literary work, including Black feminism in Haitian literature, as well as the intersections of gender, justice and race

Name & age: Jessie Woo, 35
Occupation: Comedienne, media personality and singer
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L.
Notable works: Became a viral sensation on social media through her comedic alter ego, Cadouskha Jean-Francois, which lead to a stint as a red carpet host for BET and supporting cast member of two seasons on Love & Hip Hop: Miami.
Impact: Uses her celebrity platform to be a “loud and proud” Haitian.

Name & age: Mackensia Fontaine, 35
Occupation: Nurse; midwife, responsible for maternity department at Saint Therese Hospital in Hinche
City/country of residence: Hinche, Haiti
Impact in the community: Helps to reduce the mortality rate of mother and child.
Notable work: To promote health generally and help through the noble profession of midwifery.
Haitian proverb to live by: “You may hate the dog, but you must admit that its teeth are white.”

Name: Maryse Jean-Jacques, 72
Occupation: Social Worker, Former Executive Director at the Centre d’Education Speciale (CES) in Haiti
City/country of residence: Haiti
Notable achievements: Worked with CES on the “Ecole Inclusive” program, making sure that children with disabilities are accepted in traditional schools throughout Haiti; helped establish CES as a training center for parents of children with disabilities and other institutions throughout Haiti working with disabled children
Impact: Instrumental in making sure children with disabilities, who are oftentimes marginalized, are recognized and accepted into Haiti’s school system.

Name & Age: Nadia Lafleur, 40
Occupation: Executive Director of Sant Magali pou lavi, a shelter for women and girls who are victims of violence
City/country of residence: Jacmel, Haiti
Notable achievements: With Sant Magali pou lavi, she established a partnership with two organizations (Brigade Protection des Mineurs and Institute du Bien-Être Social) where they rely on her and Sant Magali pou lavi when they meet victims of violence; provides training to other women organizations in Grand Anse and Gonaives to help victims of violence and establish shelters; amember of FANM DESIDE Women organization in southeast Haiti.
Impact: Has been an emotional and psychological pillar of support to young women by helping them to regain self-confidence.

Name: Leonie Hermantin
Occupation: Director of Development, Communications & Strategic Planning at Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Named as up-and-coming leader by the Miami Herald; worked as Deputy Director for the Lambi Fund of Haiti from 2008-2011, works with PRODEV, an organization working to help children in Haiti have access to education.
Impact: Works to help Haitians in the diaspora overcome obstacles and accede to positions of leadership.

Name & Age: Pascale Bélony, 28
Occupation: RN and beauty queen
City/country of residence: Gainesville, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Founding member of P4H Global, an organization that works to alleviate poverty in Haiti through educational programs; Miss Haiti at Miss Universe pageant in 2021; served as a Gator Nurse Student Ambassador at the University of Florida.
Impact: Passionate about bringing quality healthcare to Haiti; organized health education workshops in Haiti from 2012-2015.

Name: Jacqueline Charles
Occupation: Journalist
City/country of residence: Miami, F.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American, has covered Haiti and the Caribbean for 14 years
Notable achievements: Has won numerous awards for her reporting, including NABJ Journalist of the Year for her coverage of 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 Paul Hansell Award, a finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for her earthquake coverage and the 2018 Maria Moors Cabot Prize for coverage of the Americas.
Impact: Renowned for her groundbreaking coverage of both Haiti and Haitian communities in Florida.

Name & age: Elsie Hernandez, 60+
City/country of residence: Chicago, I.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: Co-founder and Board President of Haitian American Museum of Chicago
Impact: Created an institution that holds Haitian and Haitian Diaspora programs and exhibits contributing to the rich multicultural tapestry that is Chicago
Other notable work: Bilingual nursing instructor and consultant for International Educated Nurses assisting them in obtaining their Illinois Registered Nurse licenses.
Haitian proverb to live by: Men anpil chay pa lou, many hands make the load light.

Name & age: Ruth Jean-Marie, 32
Occupation: Development consultant
City/country of residence: Brooklyn, N.Y., USA
Ties to Haiti: Daughter of Haitian immigrants
Notable achievements: Recognized by Forbes magazine in its 2021 Next 1000 list of up-and-coming entrepreneurs, won a 2019 Nike competition to design a limited-edition sneaker inspired by the Haitian revolution.
Impact: Consults with individuals, organizations and governments to maximize the social value of development projects through her philanthropy startup, The August Project.

Name: Jacqueline Gautier
Occupation: National Director of Health at NPH Haiti responsible for St. Damien Children’s Hospital (Haiti’s only pediatric specialty hospital)
City/Country of Residence: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Notable works: First medical director of St. Damien Hospital, transitioning the hospital from a hospice center for dying children to a well-known pediatric hospital for Haiti’s vulnerable children.
Impact: Established HIV/AIDS department of St. Damien, caring for nearly 500 children receiving life-saving HIV therapy Impact (on community, profession, country, world, etc.), began a pediatric residency program at St. Damien to train a new generation of pediatricians.

Name: Lanise Antoine Shelley
Occupation: Artistic Director of The House Theatre of Chicago, actress, playwright and visual artist
City/country of residence: Chicago, I.L., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti; adopted and raised in the U.S.A.
Notable works: Podcast: When They Were Young: Amplifying Voices of Adoptees, Artistic Director for the upcoming “The Tragedy of King Christophe” at The House Theatre of Chicago.
Impact: Her art making leads her back home to The Haiti Home for Children in Port-au-Prince from where she was adopted and for which she is an advocate.

- Name: Margareth Corkery, mid-50’s
- City/country of residence: Detroit, M.I., U.S.A.
- Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
- Notable work: Co-founder, vice-president of the Haitian Network Group of Detroit
- Impact: For the past 21 years, actively promotes Haitian culture, provides an environment for Haitians and friends of Haiti to network, and contributes to the welfare of Haitians worldwide.
- Favorite proverb: Bonjou se paspò ou (Your greeting is your passport).

Name & age: Marla Louissaint, 24
Occupation: Performer, artist and CEO of Claim Our Space Now, an organization focused on elevating BIPOC voices.
City/country of residence: New York, N.Y., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born in Haiti
Notable achievements: Recipient of 2015 Jimmy Award for excellence in musical theater, 2015 Gershwin Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in “Caroline, or Change”, cast member of the off-Broadway show “Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater” at New York City Center, part of the touring cast of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, cast member of Netflix’s crime drama “Seven Seconds.”
Impact: Works to liberate and elevate BIPOC voices throughout the world from the “throes of capitalism, white supremacist delusion and the patriarchy by living boldly and unapologetically through my art.”

Name & Age: Myriam Chancy, 52
Occupation: Novelist, Chair in the Humanities at Scripps College
City/country of residence: Upland, C.A., USA
Ties to Haiti: Born and raised in Port-au-Prince
Notable achievements: Choice’s 1998 Outstanding Academic Book Award for “Searching for Safe Spaces: Afro-Caribbean Women Writers in Exile”, 2004 Phoenix Award for Editorial Achievement from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals, 2011 Guyana Prize in Literature Caribbean Award for “The Loneliness of Angels”, 2014 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellow.
Impact: Renowned for her explorations of different aspects of Haiti, including women within Haitian society, the role of spirituality in Haitian life, and the impact of the 2010 earthquake on the lives of Haitians in the country and throughout the world.

Name: Marjorie Joseph
Occupation: Community organizer, poet
City/country of residence: Houston, T.X., USA
Ties to Haiti: Haitian-American
Notable achievements: Recently honored as a guest speaker at the Houston Chapter of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) last year, received the organization’s Global Citizen award for her work with Houston Coalition Against Hate (HCAH), HCAH won the 2021 Juneteenth Ally Award by The Center for the Healing of Racism.
Impact: Passionate activist working throughout the country to facilitate transformative shifts against institutionalized racism.
Haitian women have a special attractiveness. I recall a Haitian friend who was really grateful to Revivorship Holistic Cancer Wellness Center (http://www.revivorship.com/) during the difficult times that followed an early cancer diagnosis. Counseling was available at the center. Making her feel supported while also giving them the confidence to discuss the situation.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Thank you.
Dr Exuma