Grenada

From a very earlyage, always wondered what it would be like when women would proportionatelyrepresent the leadership of the Caribbean Region, and the world.  Service was always of paramount importance toher – Shireene always stated and continues to maintain, she wants to serve hercountry and her region -- as an effective representative of its people.

Shireene’s education was forged through a series ofeffective and excellent schools. On finishing High School, Shireene sought toadvance her education and attended St. George’s University, School of Arts andSciences, where she obtained a Bachelors of Science in Life Sciences, in 2008.  She continued her studies at the St. George’sUniversity, School of Medicine, and in 2010 graduated with a Masters in PublicHealth, with specialization in Health Behaviors and Policy.  She excelled academically and was recognizedfor her outstanding Capstone Paper (thesis) entitled “PublicHealth Significance, Factors, and Impact of Intimate Partner Violence of Womenin the Caribbean”.

Throughout the years, Shireene’s dedication to thepursuit of excellence has resulted in several accolades and awards.  She has high moral and ethical standards, andthose attributes are evident in her everyday dealings with others.  She has been actively involved in theCommonwealth Caribbean Regional Youth Caucus as Grenada’s Youth Ambassador, andas the Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Caucus Chair.  Shireene holds membership on many Boards,including the Pan–Commonwealth Youth Caucus (Executive Member), CommonwealthAdvisory Body on Sports (CABOS), and Grenada Red Cross Society.                                  

She has also been a voice for youth addressing variousthematic areas, inter alia, health, education, peace building, climatechange, social contemporary issues, and has presented the youth’s perspectiveon various issues.  She has participatedin numerous international youth meetings/workshops and high level globalmeetings, including addressing the General Assembly at the United Nations HighLevel Meeting on Youth in July 2011.  Shehas also provided substantive input into many “white papers” regardingher area of expertise – Public Health.     

Shireene has been committed to health promotion, withspecific emphasis on vulnerable groups, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS,and Non-Communicable Diseases.  She hasbeen involved in community organizing, grass roots advocacy and research,collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), CommonwealthYouth Program (CYP), Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), governments,international non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, youthand community groups, over a twelve year period in Grenada and the Caribbean.

Shireene is a goal-oriented individual, and willcontinue to promote positive social change by fostering inclusion -- respectfor diversity, equality, and the participation of all.  She has been constantly involved in voluntarywork in the Caribbean promoting poverty alleviation, women and youthempowerment, advancing development, and protecting human rights and humandignity and founded her own, Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) as a vehicleto further those goals.    

More importantly, Shireene’s desire to serve isunquestionable.  She has shown that shehas the moral fiber to impact societies, tenacity of purpose, commitment anddedication to the improvement of health, particularly among vulnerable groups.  

She has demonstrated unequivocally that she hasleadership qualities. Shireene has essentially been prepared and continues toprepare herself to be “an agent for change” through her unflagging service toher Region, and the world at large.

Today represents the present that will inevitablydetermine the future and Shireene Judy Jude McMillan is one such person fortoday -- and the future.