Despite the advocacy of women's rights groups and the growing awareness that society's strength is the sum total of all its citizenry, women continue to be portrayed in a less than favourable light. Blame it on the rapacious world of entertainment that exploits the gullible, or even on women who knowingly allow themselves to be taken-all for the mighty dollar. Whatever the crux of the problem, award winning photographer Edmund Herman was determined to do something about it. "I am not the type to see a problem and complain." he said."I will go out and do something about it."
So while gangsta rappers spewed misogynistic lyrics, and scantily dressed women left little to the imagination on hip hop videos, Edmund was busy working on a cultural antidote. And so Sisters in Harmony was formed. A prodigious and ambitious undertaking. "The mission is simple, but powerful," said Edmund. "We are promoting a more positive image of our women on several fronts-the mental, the spiritual and the physical. What we are really doing is reclaiming our identity."
Sisters in Harmony, a non-profit organisation, has seen its membership swell to more than 360 in a little over a year, coming from the United States, T&T, St Lucia, Liberia, and the United Kingdom.
"Our creed is straight forward-we are not political or religious, rather we are culture and race embracing," Edmund stated. For Edmund and co-founder Ruby Burke, empowerment is realised by engaging members with life changing ventures.
"We have set up several divisions, each promoting different artistic endeavours." He appeared particularly upbeat and expectant about an upcoming anthological work written by 18 members, which details their experiences, challenges and triumphs. The stories are harrowing-domestic violence, homelessness, fractured homes, life threatening illnesses. The triumphs are more than impressive.
"Our goal is to harness the talents of young writers, helping them in all the stages of writing, editing and publishing," he explained.
Another notable undertaking is an array of aesthetic posters, dubbed Praise, that immortalise the majesty of femininity-just in time for Black History Month in February. "The Caribbean is represented in more than 60 per cent of our posters," said Edmund, whose work has been featured in British Airways High Life Magazine and other international publications. "We have and will continue to shoot in Antigua, St Lucia, Trinidad and the US Virgin Islands," he added.
Resourceful and attuned to the needs of communities everywhere, Sisters in Harmony has also established Young Directors, which will shepherd inexperienced directors into the competitive world of film making. A similar template is being initiated in the area of music. A radio show, Speaking to Harmony, airs every Thursday evening. This provides the platform for Edmund's organisation to grow, and advise on so many areas affecting women-finance, employment, and health. The philosophy of Sisters in Harmony resonates with women like Michelle Gumbs, 43, originally of Arouca, Trinidad. She's self employed in the fitness industry, a booming business unhinged by the ebb and flow of the economy, allowing many to mange their own careers.
"I understand the strength of feminine," she stated. "I was raised by women. In fact, the matriarchal family is common back home. I know what women can accomplish. I am a living example." She's an optimist, with an unmistakable fealty to humankind, preferring to see the glass half full. "I do not see women as being degraded," she said, parting from Edmund on this touchy subject. "We are all at different stages, different paths. It's all a matter of how we choose to express ourselves at particular points in our life. I cannot be judgmental."
A new member to "Sisters," Michelle viewed her membership as providing limitless opportunities "to share, teach and experience" with others in all walks of life. "This is an opportunity for us to create our story, to help others, and to be rich beyond the need for money. This is what Sisters in Harmony is all about." On this point Michelle and Edmund were locked in step.