The sisterly bond behind and beyond CIBWE
Rose Cathy Handy
It all began when Ms. Handy immigrated to Canada at the end of 1993. The recession had hit Ontario pretty hard, and many people were unemployed and relying on government assistance. Somehow black women, especially young black women, became the face of what was deemed wrong with the economy or why it was so difficult to bounce back. Black women with two or more children living on social assistance and not working were constantly pointed out. The stigma was that black women were a burden to the economy. Rose was one of those women.
Fast forward fifteen years later. In that time, Rose Cathy Handy had become C.E.O. of H.E.R. Consulting & Services Inc., offering extensive expertise in development, empowerment, and career-building. She wrote a book entitled "Going from Homeless to C.E.O.: the no excuse Handbook." TVO, CTV, the Toronto Star, and R.D.I.- Radio Canada showcased her life story.
She also became President of Bilingual Link, which has been responsible for helping over 30,000 bilingual candidates find work and improve their lives through publications, job fairs, web career sites, seminars, and training.
Her watershed moment came in 2010 when her beloved little sister Esther Handy died. She traveled back to Cameroon for the funeral. She describes what she saw and her reaction.
'Hundreds of people came, giving testimony after testimony; I learned how she spent her short life helping HIV-positive women give birth with dignity. I learned how much she used her small salary of less than $100 per month to feed, clothe or pay for the education of abandoned children, orphans: mainly the children from these HIV-positive mothers. I came back to Canada highly afflicted by the fact that I didn't know my sister. I was haunted by the question: what more could I have done if only I knew?
It dawned on me soon after that a way to honor my sister's life would be to give back something to the women of Cameroon on funds raised by the women of Canada. But it wasn't until I examined my evolution in Canada that / realized what I could do.'
Ms. Handy had the following thoughts: has anybody bothered all these years to check whatever happened to the black female immigrant in Canada? Wouldn't it be great if it was revealed what bigger stage these black women had attained? Many were doctors, nurses, managers, politicians, lawyers, ministers, public servants, advocates, entrepreneurs, business owners, engineers, great professional and accomplished leaders everywhere.
Wouldn't it be great if there was an occasion where all these women could be showcased, their stories highlighted, their achievements shared, and reverse the narrative? How much impact would there be if they could celebrate each other and support each other on an international scale?
When the first inaugural event took place on May 23rd, 2016, Rose Cathy Handy never doubted that there would be a second CIWBE Event. "I always hoped that the event would be here to stay once we started planning the first year."
The Gala event is generally expanded to a second day to maximize networking opportunities. This expansion is all part of a long-term strategy to roll out all aspects of the whole vision. The weekend has distinct sections with various pricing attached. The attendees can base their attendance on affordability as well as interest.
Since 2016, Rose Cathy has organized a successful Gala yearly where "a thousand black women come together to honor one hundred of their own."
In July 2020, the Covid-19 restriction rules made the event organization challenging. Nevertheless, all the 2020 "100 Black Women To Watch" and guests attended the virtual ceremony.
Nothing is impossible for the fantastic CIBWE team as they prepare a relevant program for 2022.
