#WeAreSouthQueens - Sherry Algredo
Sherry's Background
"I migrated from Trinidad and Tobago in December of 1994. Since I migrated, I’ve always lived in Richmond Hill. I remember arriving here and seeing that it was so much more crowded, and I did feel strange with the sound of the subways, traffic and cars. I felt I was living in the City." Sherry studied accounting and worked in that field until she decided to become a stay at home mom to raise her son, who is autistic, and her daughter.
What inspired you to serve on the community board?
"Well, at first I was a member of the community education Council for district 27. I figured it would be good with my kids in school to learn the education system here. At first I joined for my kids, but it turned out that I did it for the community. I was appointed as the board president appointee. After four years, I decided to give it all a rest. I was having a lunch with a friend who worked for an elected official and as we were talking she said "you know, you have really great ideas, but you need a platform in order to have these ideas really listened to". And she said, "I think you should go back into community work." I attended a community board meeting a few times while I was on the Community Education Council (CEC). I've always been an advocate for education. I later applied and I got on but it was honestly never my intent to be a chair. It was not my dream, nor was it my aspiration. I never thought I would be elected chair in such a big board with all these wonderful, amazing people. And I wanted to just go in, sit down and just learn. I wanted to just be on the side hidden where no one could ever see me. I was simply excited to be a part of the board. I joined the Education Committee and learned that the Education Chair wasn't going to continue the next year. So, I asked to be the education chair and I was appointed to that position."
What is a typical day like for you?
"Well, my son is autistic. He's the sweetest kid, so he's not very difficult to care for. But there are days when, you know, I am hurrying my daughter to get up, to get dressed. Teenagers take forever to eat and get dressed. And then there are days when my son has his food but he's not feeding himself. So I'm putting something in his mouth. I'm running to the kitchen to make the tea, put the teabag in and I run back, put another spoon in his mouth, I run back to the kitchen to put on the water. It's hectic but God gives me strength every day. My children are my world. Nothing that I do for them is a burden. And then I send them off to school. I chose to be a full-time mom."
What are your goals for the future?
"Everyone says this is a great political platform because several people who were chairs of community boards end up running for elected office. I don't know what would happen next year. Right now I'm the chair for another year and my aspiration is to be the best chair that I can be. My goal is to be there for the community to engage and connect with the people. I personally help a lot of people to get special needs services for their kids driven by my own life as the mother to an autistic son."
Something that happened during the course of work that you will never forget?
When our district manager said 19-16, congratulations Chair Algredo. That plays over in my head. I realized then in that moment created something for the indo-Caribbean community. It hit me that I was the first Trinidadian woman to share to chair the community board. A few seconds later after I heard the words, it hit me and I felt sp proud. It was a West Indian type of pride that I can't describe. I still have it. Whenever I say it, I smile."
Tell us about your work as community board 9 Chair.
My role is to preside at regular and special meetings of the board as well as the executive committee. I provide guidance and direction for the activities of our district manager including a review of recommended annual salary which the executive committee approves. I am also the sole spokesperson for the board. In some circumstances I can designate other people to speak, but they can't speak unless designated by the chair. Upon a new term, which starts on April 1st, I also have the authority to decide who is going to be the chair of the committee and who is going to be the members of the committee. Sometimes, I invite people to speak at the board meetings. I attend events as the chair of the board. I'm the representation for the board, the main face of the board.
What are some challenges you face as a woman?
"Well, let's just put it this way. The day after I won the election, I got a long lecture from more than one person. They were concerned about me being the chair, having a special needs child and my family, and my limited knowledge. Being emotional at the time, I broke down and I cried. I was made to feel like I would be problematic. And I thought to myself, "is this done to other people or is it just being done to me?” Is there a reason behind why I'm hearing this stuff? Does it have to do with my qualifications, who I am or What I look or sound like?"
What advice would you give to young women?
"I would tell them don't let somebody set you back from your goal, and don't change who you are. I am still the emotional Sherry I was when I fell apart last day. I am still the funny one that makes jokes. When I'm in the public I show strength, if I have to cry, I cry when I'm by myself. Whatever the most, the most important thing is to believe that you can and to try your best and give it your best shot."
