As a child growing up in Jamaica I, along with everyone else, because of our affiliation to Britain, was awash in every aspect of English literature. Our entire educational system from, Infant School to Teachers College, was based on the British system of education. To this day I am still inspired by English authors whenever I speak truth to circumstances. One of my favourite authors has always been Charles Dickens who in the opening lines of his 1859 classic, A Tale of Two Cities, wrote “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times”. During this global upheaval with the coronavirus some businesses are doing well, depending on their services or products, but as usual for the majority of women, it is the worst of times. Yet very little has been said by the government, community groups or women’s groups to assist women to cope on a daily basis. The silence is deafening. Not too much concern has been evident although during this pandemic most women, regardless of race, age, religion, financial or marital status, have seen unheard of changes in the workplace, in employment practices, in parenting, with health concerns, the education of their children, emotional and physical abuse and most importantly with the emotional strain that goes with serious life-changing circumstances.. Additionally, for Black and other non-White women we are also faced with the added burden of heightened incidents of racism. So again, I ask , where do we go from here? Since we all know that a burden shared is a burden lessened, I propose that during these unprecedented times , all women whether Black , White, or Brown make a concerted effort to join hands and abilities to enrich our lives and the lives of our families. We all have far more in common than in differences . Moreover, there has been very little evidence that women, working in segregated groups , have made the progress which we so undeniably deserve. Consequently , through Women Are Worthy, I have launched a project for ALL women and teen-age girls in the areas of Health, Education , Leadership , Parenting, Housing , Racism and Sexism . Please let me know if you are willing to join me in developing Worthy Women In Action , so that we will be able to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually as we all empower ourselves and assist our Sisters to overcome during this ,the worst of times. In Sisterhood! Ettie Rutherford B.Ed., Dip.Ed., M.Ed.

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Taking care of self will allow you to assist others.

I think we can all agree that the pandemic has changed our lives in more ways than we could ever imagine. It has limited family gatherings and other traditional celebrations, it has limited attendance at church, travel, workplace culture, and a host of other practices, which for centuries we took for granted. Shaking hands, sharing a hug, or going to celebrate a meal at that favourite restaurant is now so limited, not through everyone’s volition, but also through the dictates of the government. The times they are a-changing.

However, during this strange transition to a new way of living there are certain standards that will never change. The most important being, “Wherever I go there I am”. That being the case, we all need to protect ourselves, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually because there is no one out there rooting for you twenty-four hours per day.

Consequently, it is an imperative, not an option, that you put yourself first in order to ensure your survival and the ability to assist others.

To do this takes courage because the mantra has always been to focus on others, not self, because there will be a judgement of you being an egotist.

So , how can personal development be meaningful for survival during challenges?

1.    Focus on who you are rather than what you do

2.    Identify your strengths

3.    Use past mistakes as stepping – stones to develop yourself

4.    Use your personal beliefs as your guide

5.    Ignore what others think if the advice is contrary to your standards

6.    Listen to your heart

7.    Focus on how you feel and what you are thinking, not on how your actions are interpreted

8.    Stop watching the clock. Imitate it. Keep on keeping on.

9.    Continue praying

In Sisterhood!

Ettie M. Rutherford     M.ED

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