This Woman’s Work
March 21, 2024 – May 30, 2024
This exhibition is dedicated to honoring the noteworthy contributions of Black women within the spheres of law enforcement and the judicial system. This curatorial idea emerges as a profound initiative by Chief Anita Najiy, the inaugural female Assistant Chief of the City of Miami Police Department, during the February 2023 Black History Month celebrations where she decided to honor black women in Miami Police Department. Employing glass mixed media print and fabric, Chief Najiy adeptly captures the imagery of Black women, imbuing the exhibition with contextual depth that underscores their pivotal roles in shaping law enforcement practices.
The motivation behind this exhibit is that Black women not only shattered glass ceilings but also effectuated transformative changes within law enforcement departments. The impact of these changes can be seen in present day practices on the police force: emergency response, enhanced case-solving methodologies transcending state boundaries, and the introduction of policies fostering gender equity within the force.
In an homage to Black Women in law enforcement and the judicial system, Chief Anita Najiy received a museum commission to craft a commemorative series of 100 plates, employing her distinctive mixed media design. Titled “THIS WOMEN’S WORK: A Tribute to Justice For All,” this meticulously curated exhibition aims to highlight the exceptional contributions of Black women occupying influential positions. The incorporation of the West African (Ashanti) kente cloth, traditionally reserved for royalty and special occasions, serves as a poignant symbol on each plate. This fabric, imbued with historical significance dating back to the trans-Atlantic slave trade (1501-1867), resonates with the narrative of nearly 60% of enslaved Black individuals trafficked during this tumultuous period. Many of these individuals, hailing from royal families, tragically found themselves ensnared in village tribal wars, subsequently traded as commodities to European merchants in exchange for firearms, textiles, beads, and various other commodities.
The exhibition’s compelling photographic depictions of Black women in their professional attire serve to underscore the persistent need for representation. This resonates particularly in light of the fact that women continue to occupy less than 32% of executive leadership roles in the workforce. Symbolically represented by glass plates, the numerous obstacles akin to glass ceilings that women, especially Black women, confront in their pursuit of recognition for work equal to that of their male counterparts are vividly depicted.
Beyond its aesthetic richness, the exhibition aspires to shed light on the daily challenges faced by Black women, fostering a dialogue on the imperative need for equal compensation for their invaluable services. “This Woman’s Work” draws inspiration from the musical compositions of the American artist Maxwell, specifically his melodious celebration of women’s joys and contributions in the song title this exhibit is named after. His song serves as an admonishment for men to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that women are treated with respect and adorned for their achievements.
Gwendolyn Boyd
Chief Gwendolyn BoydNorth Miami Police Department Retired Chief Gwendolyn Boyd-Savage became the first Black woman Police Chief in Mlami-Dade County when she was hired as North Miami Police Department's first woman Police Chief in 2002, she served in that role until...
Audrey Coney Brown
Audrey Coney BrownCity of Miami Police Department Deputy Chief Audrey Coney-Brown has 48 years of experience in the law enforcement field. She began her career in 1975 with the City of Miami Police Department as a secretary in the Chief of Police Office. In 1980, she...
Carolyn Taylor Pates
Carolyn Taylor PatesCity of Miami Police Department The year was 1966 and the City was plagued with social injustice and unwavering discrimination. As in many other cities throughout the country, the 60s were a time of both great adversity and great accomplishments...
Mary Newbold
Mary NewboldMiami-Dade County Police Department In 1985, Detective Mary Newbold was the oldest female at the age of 43 to graduate from the Police Academy. After only two years on patrol, she became a Robbery Detective. She was then assigned to the Homicide Unit as...
Director Stephanie V. Daniels
Stephanie V. Daniels, DirectorMiami-Dade County Police Department Stephanie V. Daniels has devoted the past 32 years in service to the community she was born and raised in. She joined the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) in 1992, after working for the State...
Sherea Green
Sherea GreenMiami-Dade County Police Department Sherea Green, a seasoned law enforcement professional with 28 years of dedicated correctional experience, has been appointed Director of the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. In her new role,...
Thelma Harris
Thelma HarrisMiami-Dade County Police Department As a teenager new to her neighborhood, Thelma Gaitor Freeman Harris was enthralled in two passions: going to the library and participating in amateur shows with her sisters at the Harlem Square hotspot in Overtown. A...
Delma Noel Pratt
Chief Delma K. Noel-PrattCity of Miami Gardens Police Department Chief Delma K. Noel-Pratt is an accomplished police executive with over 30 years of sworn law enforcement experience. She began her career as a Public Service Aide for the City of Miami Police Department...
Daniela Quinn
Daniela QuinnDelray Beach Police Department Lieutenant Quinn was raised in the city of Delray Beach. Prior to starting a career in Law Enforcement, she worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families as a Child Protective Investigator. She began her Law...
Captain Dana Carr
Captain Dana CarrCity of Miami Police Department Currently serving the City of Miami Police Department for 27 years Has served in the following areas: As an officer, she worked in the Field Operations Division assigned to Patrol, the Mounted Unit and in the Criminal...
Carolyn Clarke
Carolyn ClarkeCity of Miami Police Department Carolyn Clarke Joined The City of Miami Police Department in 1966. She was the first black female to be hired by the Department during her tenure with the Police Department she was assigned to the uniform division, SIS,...
Anita M. Najiy
Anita NajiyCity of Miami Police Department Assistant Chief Anita M. Najiy, a trailblazer in law enforcement, dedicated 41 years of her life to serving the City of Miami. Her family migrated to Florida from New York. Born as the second oldest of 11 siblings and mother...
Dr. Robin R. Starks
Dr. Robin R. StarksCity of Miami Police Department Dr. Robin R. Starks is a native Floridian, born and raised in South Florida, growing up in Overtown, Liberty City, and Carol City, now Miami Gardens. Dr. Starks graduated from American Senior High School and continued...
TJ Walker Williams
TJ Walker Williams, Deputy ChiefFlorida Southwestern State College Deputy Chief TJ Williams began her professional law enforcement career in 1980 at the City of Miami Police Department. Although she was initially hired as a Community Service Aide, she was soon...
Ra Shana A. Dabney
RaShana Dabney-Donovan, ChiefTown of Pembroke Park Police Department In July of 1999, Ra Shana A. Dabney began her career with the Hallandale Beach Police Department as a Community Service Aide. In June of 2000, she entered the Broward Institute of Public Safety’s...
Jacquelyn Wynn
Jacqueline Wynn, RET Asst. ChiefCity of Miami Police Department Upon graduating from the Police Academy in 1979, Officer Jacquelyn Wynn was assigned to patrol in the North District until being reassigned as a School Resource Officer at Booker T. Washington Jr. High....
Sergeant Maiga “Mya” Auguste
Sergeant Maiga AugustePort Saint Lucie Police Department Sergeant Maiga Auguste was born on May 20th in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She moved with her family to New Jersey when she was 5 years old. In September 2004, Maiga relocated to Florida. Prior to working for the...
Sheila Cockfield and Illo
Shiela Cockfield, RET Sergeant City of Miami Police Department I was hired as a Public Service Aide, and within 6 months, upgraded to Police Officer. During my 27 years career, in addition to working in patrol, I had the opportunity to work in several specialized...
Diane Barnes
Officer Diane BarnesCity of Pinecrest Police Department Diane Barnes is currently a law enforcement officer with Miami-Dade Schools Police, serving as a School Resource Officer. She started her career with the City of Miami Police Department as a Patrol officer...
Katherine D. Baker
Katherine Baker, Police CommanderCity of Miami Police Department I was born and raised in (Scott Projects) Miami/Miami-Dade County, Florida, one of eleven children (7 sisters, 3 brothers). I have two children, and two grandchildren. As a child, I attended church every...
Viola Judon
Viola Judon, CaptainPembroke Pines Police Department Captain Viola Judon began her Law Enforcement career as a Communication Operator with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and later became a Detention Deputy Correction Officer. In 2003, she began her career with the City...
Captain Elise Dillard
Captain Elise DillardMiami-Dade Police Department Captain Elise Dillard retired after serving 30 years with the Miami-Dade Police Department. Throughout her tenure on the department, she has served in various assignments gaining knowledge and experience in everything...
Stephanie Frederick Dalton
Stephanie Dalton, RET SergeantCity of Miami Police Department Stephanie Frederick Dalton is a native Miamian and a product of the Overtown community. She received her earlier education in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and later earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in...