Celebrating Haitian Women Leaders: Honoring Their Legacy During International Women’s Month

International Women’s Month is a time to celebrate the extraordinary achievements, resilience, and leadership of women across the globe. Among these remarkable women are Haitian leaders who have made indelible contributions across various fields, from business and law to healthcare, education, and the arts. Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and advocacy inspire us to recognize the power of women in driving change and shaping a more equitable world. This article honors the legacy of Haitian women leaders whose work continues to uplift communities and pave the way for future generations.

Daphne Valcin: Empowering Through Coaching

Daphne Valcin, a first-generation American of Haitian descent, is the CEO of Valcin Strategic Solutions. She specializes in leadership and team development through coaching and training. Valcin notably empowers individuals and organizations, focusing on career advancement and business growth. She demonstrates a commitment to nurturing potential within Haitian communities. She has conducted over 100 speaking engagements and coached over 400 individuals, positively impacting countless lives.

Valcin’s work transcends individual coaching as she actively participates in initiatives addressing broader systemic issues. Her organization collaborates with various communities, enhancing organizational culture and team dynamics and enabling greater representation of women in leadership roles within the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Marleine Bastien: Advocate and Organizer

Marleine Bastien is a formidable advocate for women’s rights and social justice. She serves as the Executive Director of the Family Action Network Movement (FANM), founded in 1991. Located in Miami, FANM works tirelessly to assist low—to moderate-income families, focusing on healthcare, housing, and education. Bastien’s leadership has made FANM a vital organization recognized for providing comprehensive services and advocating for the rights of Haitian women and families.

Bastien’s commitment to immigrant rights and gender equality has led to her recognition as “Woman of the Year” by Ms. Foundation and has garnered numerous awards for her advocacy work. Through FANM, she has mobilized communities to address pressing issues such as domestic violence, immigration reform, and healthcare disparities, positioning herself as a central figure in Haitian community activism locally and nationally.

Carline Desire: Empowering the Next Generations

Carline Desire, the Executive Director of the Association of Haitian Women in Boston (AFAB), is crucial in supporting low-income Haitian women and their children. Since its establishment, AFAB has focused on empowering women through educational programs, advocacy for domestic violence awareness, and community coalition building. Desire’s grassroots activism has been instrumental in addressing the unique challenges faced by Haitian women, fostering resilience and agency in their lives.

Under Desire’s guidance, AFAB has expanded its initiatives to combat domestic violence, providing essential services such as counseling, legal support, and educational outreach to raise awareness within the Haitian community. Her commitment to empowering women is reflected in her recognition as an “unsung hero” within the community, highlighting her significant contributions to social change.

Nadia Francois: Empowering Women Through Business and Media  

Nadia Francois is a renowned entrepreneur, author, and business strategist dedicated to empowering women and youth. She is the founder and Executive Director of Sistars of Empowerment, Inc., a nonprofit organization that mentors women and hosts programs such as business workshops and youth confidence-building sessions. Francois also made a name for herself as a successful media producer, hosting What’s Your Super Power TV to spotlight inspirational stories of women leaders and publishing her “What’s Your Super Power Anthology.”  

Her initiatives have earned widespread recognition, including the “Game Changer” award in 2022, demonstrating her pivotal role in uplifting marginalized communities and advancing women’s empowerment.  

Pascale Vincent: Champion of Community Inclusion  

Pascale Vincent is the CEO of Passionate Hearts Ministries, a group striving to build inclusive environments for Caribbean immigrants and Black Americans in Central Florida. Through her tireless efforts in healthcare access, legal aid, and youth development, she has built bridges for underserved populations. Pascale also played an important role in programs like the State of Florida Youth Empowerment Program.

Her commitment shows how a mix of campaigning and education can enable underprivileged areas.

Valerie Jean-Charles: Innovator in Social Impact Communications  

Valerie Jean-Charles is an accomplished communications strategist and Vice President at Fenton Communications, focusing on social impact initiatives and crisis management. Known for her work at the intersection of public policy and grassroots activism, she also serves as an editor for Woy Magazine, a media outlet centered on Haitian culture and news. She is a strong advocate for amplifying Haitian voices in global conversations.  

Her commitment to educating and inspiring communities positions her as a crucial figure in social impact leadership.  

Michele Jean-Jacques: Advocate for Community Justice  

A seasoned lawyer and advocate, Michele Jean-Jacques has worked in New York for over twenty years. Fluent in Haitian Creole, she actively helps immigrant communities, emphasizing justice and equity via her legal work. A summa cum laude graduate of the City College of New York and alumnus of New York Law School, Michele is a beacon of support for people typically underprivileged in the legal system.

Her work highlights the need to defend minorities and safeguard their legal rights.

Guerda Nicolas: Mental Health Visionary  

Dr. Guerda Nicolas has made invaluable contributions to mental health advocacy and education. A professor at the University of Miami and clinical community psychologist, she has supported projects that give underprivileged Haitian communities access to mental health treatment. Nicolas’s work has been revolutionary post-earthquake in Haiti; she co-founded Rebati Sante Mantale, a grassroots mental health initiative.

Her invaluable contributions to mental health services have won her honors, including the renowned International Humanitarian Award from the APA. 

Marie-Claude Jean-Baptiste: Advocate for International Justice  

Marie-Claude Jean-Baptiste has built a career in international law and human rights. As a Director at the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and a former Vice Chair for the Business and Human Rights Committee of the NYC Bar Association, her efforts focus on strengthening legal frameworks for marginalized groups. She also extensively promotes gender equity and corporate accountability in global systems.  

Her impactful projects demonstrate her commitment to upholding justice at home and abroad.  

Honoring Haitian Women’s Contributions

It is imperative to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women like Daphne Valcin, Marleine Bastien, and Carline Desire, among others not listed in this piece, during International Women’s Month. They provide a beacon of hope and fortitude through their unflagging activism and commitment to improving their communities. Their efforts help Haitian women and open doors for future generations to lead, flourish, and significantly contribute to society. Addressing the systematic obstacles women confront depends on acknowledging their efforts and ongoing support for women’s empowerment projects.

International Women’s Month reminds us of the strength and perseverance of women worldwide and the importance of their roles in shaping a more equitable future.