On July 12, 2025, the Jamaican Association of Women Judges launched The Well Woman Series, an initiative aimed at promoting wellbeing within the Jamaican judiciary. While home in Jamaica and working with the International Association of Women Judges, I had the privilege of connecting with the Jamaican Association through The Honourable Justice Bertram-Linton and attending this webinar. Although I was unable to attend in person, the event took place at The Verandah in Clarendon Park, just an hour from the bustle of Kingston, in a serene setting that mirrored the tone of the conversation.
The main speaker, Mrs. Sharlene Senior, is a Justice of the Peace, a seasoned professional in the Jamaican tourism industry, and author of her first book, The Silent Storm. Mrs. Senior’s debut novel covers her journey through perimenopause, how those symptoms interact with her anxiety and her faith, as well as the mental struggle to find empowerment through it all.
She began by reflecting on the night that started it all. While driving home from work after a long day, Sharlene experienced what seemed at first like a hot flash, then an intense sensation of cold, ending with shortness of breath not unlike an anxiety attack. She spoke about the sensation of being out of control of your body and how prayer carried her through the moment, and what would turn out to be a very difficult season. Her main lesson from this terrifying moment was the following: “In all weakness, God’s strength is shown… it is okay to be weak because He will carry you.”
As she shared her journey with all the confidence of someone who has come out thriving on the other side, what stood out to me the most was her point about support systems and their importance. “It is important to have a circle of women to speak to,” she said, reflecting on how her church community, her friends, and her family have lent their support. While her husband was present to shed light on his experience as her support, they both acknowledged how important it was for women to support each other in circumstances that are unique to them.
Within the judiciary in Jamaica, for example, women outnumber men overall, although men still occupy many of the top positions. As women take on a greater share of judicial responsibilities, their health concerns, such as those Mrs. Senior faced, become systemic issues, not just personal ones.
As such, when asked what women in the judiciary could do to ensure they were taking care of themselves, Mrs. Senior urged listeners to remember to do things that bring us joy regularly, whether that is listening to music, reading, or even thinking good thoughts. She verbalized something that I could definitely do well to remember. “Even on hard days, recording a small win, a kind word, a good sleep, a quiet moment can shift your perspective.”
As we approach International Day for Judicial Well-Being on July 25, I hope that we can all seek out stories like these as a reminder that we are not alone in all we go through as women breaking barriers. As the fight for gender parity in judiciaries across the world continues, so does awareness about women’s health and wellbeing.
Watch the event here.