March 13, 2026 — Every March is International Women’s Month and this year the PEF Caribbean-American Committee is honoring three inspiring women for their contributions to human rights, labor rights, and community and political activism.
Guerline Jozef
Guerline Jozef founded the Haitian Bridge Alliance, the only Black-led, woman-led, Haitian American-led organization serving migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. She also co-founded the Black Immigrants Bail Fund and the Cameroon Advocacy Network.
Jozef’s work focuses on migrants of African Descent. She is a leading human rights advocate, thought leader, and strategist who dedicates her life to bringing awareness to issues that affect us all locally and globally, such as immigration, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, and other human rights issues.
Roxanne Brown
Roxanne Brown was elected the first African American and first woman president of the United Steelworkers in March, leading North America’s largest industrial union with a focus on diversity, worker engagement and advocacy. Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and grew up in White Plains, N.Y. Union-represented jobs enabled her mom and aunt to buy houses and break into the middle class, a transformative experience that inspired her lifelong commitment to working people.
Claudia Jones
Claudia Jones (1915–1964) was a Trinidad-born journalist, feminist, and communist activist who became a prominent leader in the U.S. and later the UK. She advocated for Black individuals, women, and workers in both the U.S. and England. After being deported from the U.S. due to her political activism, she founded the West Indian Gazette and launched the precursor to the Notting Hill Carnival in London, becoming a major voice against racism and imperialism.