Linnette Vassell is a Jamaican academic, writer, and feminist, who advocates for gender equity and community management of water resources.
Linnette Vassell | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of the West Indies |
| Employer(s) | Ministry of Water and Housing, Jamaica |
| Organization(s) | Committee of Women for Progress The 51% Coalition |
| Known for | Legal, water rights, and feminism activism |
| Awards | Ubuntu Essence of Humanity Trophy, 2022 |
She was influential in the creation of Jamaica's Minimum Wage Act and the Maternity Leave Act.
Education
editVassell has a master of philosophy degree in history from the University of the West Indies.[1]
Career and advocacy
editShe taught Caribbean history, with a focus on women's history and women's rights, at the University of the West Indies during the 1980s and 1990s when she became known for her feminism.[1]
In 1976, she became the first coordinator of the left-wing activist organization the Committee of Women for Progress where she pushed for legal reforms.[1] She has been a member of the Board of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, the global Gender and Water Alliance, and the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action.[1] She was a key figure behind The 51% Coalition, gender equity alliance.[2]
In 2019, she was named as a Living Legacy Honoree by the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons[3] and by 2021 she was working at the Ministry of Water and Housing.[4]
In 2022, she won the University of Technology's Ubuntu Essence of Humanity Trophy in recognition of her contributions towards the 1970's Minimum Wage Act, and the Maternity Leave Act; and for her impact in enabling community control of water and sanitation systems for those in inner-city low-income, rural and remote communities in Jamaica.[5][6]
Publications (book chapters)
edit- Power, Governance and the Structure of Opportunity for Women in Decision-Making in Jamaica in Patricia Mohammed (editor of) The Construction of Gender Development Indicators for Jamaica, PIOJ/UNDP/CIDA, 2000, Kingston Jamaica[1]
- Colonial Gender Policy in Jamaica, 1865-1944, in Brian Moore & Swithin Wilmot, editors of Before and After 1865: Education, Politics and Regionalism in the Caribbean, (1998)[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Mona Academic Conference, The University of West Indies, Mona". 2016-05-07. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ Forbes, Marcia (2012-12-21). "Jamaica's Women's Coalition Marks First Anniversary". Carib Journal. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "Six Outstanding Jamaicans Receive 2019 CCRP Living Legacy Awards". Jamaicans.com. 2019-09-27. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "Report of main proceedings for 21 April 2004". 2021-03-16. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "UTech honours unsung humanitarian heroes at 3rd Annual Ubuntu Awards". Loop News. 2022-03-25. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
- ^ "Research Concludes that Women Play Major Role in Managing Water and Sanitation - Jamaica Information Service". Jamaica Information Service. 2020-10-28. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-13.