Self-described as fun, loving, kind, open-minded, brave, big-mouthed, a bacchanal type of person, Jassica St. Rose is an ambitious young lady who has overcome many challenges. In her own words, she is the life of the party; she loves people and enjoys doing fun things that include networking, socializing and entertaining. More importantly, she holds firmly to the belief that one should stand for what they believe in and raise their voice against things that are not fair, just or right. Jassica is a dynamic and passionate activist, advocating widely for mental health, human rights, women’s rights and LGBT rights.
Jassica was raised in the small community of Boguis, Babonneau by her grandparents. She developed a love for learning which still fuels her ambitions today. She attended the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and later, The University of the West Indies. Additionally, she has pursued many other professional qualifications – she is an academic with a hunger for knowledge. She is presently employed at the National Insurance Corporation as a Compliance Officer.
As a community activist for over fourteen years, Jassica has been a member of many organisations. Most notably, she is a Director of the Saint Lucia- based United and Strong, the founder of 758 Pride, a co-founder of the regional organisation, Women in Leadership and the Caribbean representative on the International Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Intersex, Trans Organisation, North American Caribbean Board.
Most of her activism has been focused on protecting LGBT and Women’s Rights. In keeping with her campaign for a society where everyone is treated as equals, she took the bold step to establish 758 Pride in 2019. It was Jassica’s desire to create an event to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community in a safe space. Most importantly, she wanted the members of the LGBT community to carve out a time to celebrate themselves without the constraints of shame, fear and judgement – a time and space in which everyone felt accepted. By all accounts, Pride 2019 was a resounding success; however, due to the pandemic, her plans to host an even grander affair the following year were foiled. Despite this major setback, she highly anticipates hosting Pride this year so that the LGBT community can once again express who they are through their outstanding creativity. It is her aim to focus on education amidst the revelry; to raise awareness on the issues affecting the LGBT community through this fun, entertaining, festive medium.
A major part of Jassica’s activism concentrates on mental wellness because mental health is extremely important to the LGBT community. Mental health issues manifest in many different ways and it is paramount to create avenues for people to get the right help, in a timely manner from counsellors who are best able to understand and treat issues affecting members without bias. Moreover, in the world of advocacy, activists have to be mentally equipped for the challenge of representing vulnerable groups in society. It is common for fighters of human rights to feel alone especially when they lack support from family, friends and colleagues. Backlash from the public and people closest to them can be most damaging and disheartening. Therefore, it is imperative for activists to take personal responsibility for guarding and protecting their mental health. It is also crucial for them to have a sense of community, support and solidarity from people living their shared experience and championing a similar cause.
Mental health and wellness is personal to the young activist. Jassica’s biggest challenge since starting her work in 2008 was experiencing a dreadful mental
breakdown which took her away from her passion. It was at that point in her life she realised that she needed to step back, take a break from advocacy, reassess and work on herself – fill her cup – so that she could be equipped holistically to get back to the work at hand. She had to admit to herself that she was overworked, burnt-out and depressed and those issues needed to be addressed before she could give of herself to others. After a lot of introspection, reflection and therapy, supported by a very strong support system, she received the healing that she needed.
According to her, “Believing in myself was what really pushed me; knowing how much my community needed me really helped me to overcome.” She also attributed her healing to her spiritual growth by getting closer to her God.
For this reason, Jassica has taken on this taboo topic of mental health and offers services such as counselling, training, seminars and workshops to assist with promoting mental wellness through her organisation, 758 Pride. Furthermore, Jassica now adopts a different approach to self-care and the work she does to ensure that she remains in good mental health.
As she pushes forward, Jassica’s greatest motivation is her love for the people she represents. Witnessing the impact she can have on people, families and society propels her to continue her work. Testimonials from people whose lives she has touched over the past decade give her impetus to forge ahead. Most rewarding is being able to change mindsets toward members of the LGBT community and their lifestyle.
She has received no monetary compensation for her work but she has gotten the opportunity to travel the globe to give voice to the voiceless. Her outstanding work lead to the proudest moment of her life when she represented the world on an international board for two years as the Women’s Secretariat. The board comprises over 2000 LGBT member organisations from the six regions of the world; it is the biggest LGBT membership organisation in the world. Her passionate presentation to the over 800 people present in Thailand on the day she was voted to serve on the board, earned her a standing ovation. As a young lady from a small island in the Caribbean Sea she was overcome with emotion at her reception. Thereafter, she has been asked to serve on several other boards including the North American Board.
It is Jassica’s dream to become a politician. As a matter of fact, she aims to take to a political platform as soon
as the next elections. Her ultimate goal is to truly represent the vulnerable and voiceless in our society. She believes that people deserve good representation and that she is best suited to provide that.
Jassica would not be able to achieve these successes without a large community of people who inspire and motivate her; for example, Jenna Gaston, Kenita Placide, Tamara St. Rose, Tovah Gibson, Akim Larcher, Lucia Antoine, Devonte Monerville , Randall Theodule, Giovanni, the core team of 758 Pride, United and Strong community, co-workers at the NIC, and many more supporters. She advises anyone who would like to establish a non-profit organisation that they must be passionate about their work because the field is not easy, funding is scarce and support may not always be forthcoming; so persons must be driven by the love for what they do.
fun facts
Zodiac Sign
Virgo
Favourite Colour
Red
Person most admired
Mia Mottley
Favourite Drink
Guinness
