By Amanda Moses
Today is International Women’s Day, an annual global holiday that celebrates the female heroes who’ve fought for the women’s rights movement and have broken through barriers to pave way for others to follow. It is with these characteristics in mind that several Spring Creek Towers (SCT)-based organizations have nominated female role models, leaders and all-around unsung heroes for their efforts in the community.
Antoinette & Sally Plunkett: Antoinette has been working at her family-owned business, Sally’s in Brooklyn, since she was a child. She was inspired by her mother’s, Sally, strength and ability to hold onto cultural tradition after immigrating from Jamaica to America. As a part of the matriarchal Plunkett tradition, Sally instilled in her family the importance of passing down knowledge from generation to generation; however, not simply recipes but advice on life itself and maintaining a part of West Indian culture. Her restaurant takes the culture of West Indian food, the Plunkett oral family history and has become a staple of the Brooklyn community going beyond delicious food.
Chelsea Mcghie is a first-year student at Morgan State University—an a HBCU College—where she is studying to become a registered nurse. Mcghie has become an inspiration to teens and young adults when she decided, after taking two years off from school, to pursue her passion for medicine and took a chance by going back to college to get her degree and certifications. While this path has not been an easy one to tread, she is the prime example of what steadfast determination and passion can lead to when you set your mind to a future goal.
Maegan Snell, a Senior Career & Workforce Specialist for The Opportunity Hub has only been a player on the non-profit’s team for just eight months, and yet many say she has made an ever-lasting impression on the SCT community. Utilizing her skills in workforce development, Snell has made it her mission to aid residents in finding their passion and helping them to obtain their future goals. Whether it is through creating portfolios for employment or just being a champion of financial empowerment, Snell makes sure to present ideas that helps the person become their best and most secure selves. She has hosted financial empowerment workshops on building credit, advised on how to negotiate a salary, and more for individuals of all ages.
May Bukowski, an illustrator and muralist, is revered by many for her dedication to empowering individuals of all ages, especially those in underserved communities, to pursue art. After studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology—where she graduated with her associates and BFA in illustration—May has worked to create a safe platform for people to express themselves through art. According to May, her murals aim to create a lasting impact, elevating the voices and perspectives of those who contribute to these murals. Much of her work emphasizes and explores how we as humans interact with and impact our natural world.
Rafaella Viera, is a longtime Spring Creek Towers’ resident who has been a staunch advocate for the community and has spent decades volunteering her time to aid others. Viera has helped with the girl scouts, local schools, and currently volunteers with Spring Creek Senior Partners and JASA Starrett Senior Center. On most days you can find Viera going on walks with other seniors, hosting bingo games or tie-dye art projects creating a fun, active and social environment for her fellow members. If she is not serving up a delicious dish at festive events, then Viera is on the dance floor with her friends. Viera is described as reliable, kind, and a warm-hearted person who is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Renee Spenser is most recognizable by her bright smile and welcoming demeanor. As a long time SCT resident and member of JASA Starrett Senior Center, Spenser has working to co-lead the older adult programing’s jewelry making class. She has worked to encourage other members to join in on the fun and test out their creative sides while also making beautiful art pieces. Her efforts have provided much comfort to many seniors, creating an environment that fosters socialization.
