​​INDEPENDENT RESEARCH + WRITING GUIDE
SHANTAW BLOISE-MURPHY

Directions for Our Girl Power Journalists: OnLine +/or InPerson Options Below

Read the notes below about Shantaw's journey from Jamaica and her numerous accomplishments (thus far!).  These are intentionally notes and not compete sentences since this is your “information gathering stage.” 

Reflect by jotting down your own notes in this notescatcher. Think about any questions that you might ask Shantaw if you have a chance to meet her later this year!  Share your notescatcher with us (follow the directions within it -- including receiving permission from your familiy / caregivers).

Interview with Shantaw!  Our interview date (on Nantucket hopefully! if not, on Zoom!) will be posted here within the next month or so.  If you are unable to join us that day, you can still share your question(s) and we will ask them for you!  Possible categories could be 1)  early childhood / family 2) school / college 3)  hobbies 4) girl power role models 5) favorite books + activities. 

Write/Edit/Publish:  You will eventually collaborate with other “girl power journalists” on Nantucket (virtually and/or in person) to write an updated story about Shantaw and all that she's been up to (which is A LOT!)  Your coaches at Nika V. will help you to work together and make a plan using your research and what you’ve learned from your interview. 

Online: Do all of the above on your own or with a group of friends/family members and then email us and we'll share the next steps! 

InPerson: Email us (address below) and we'll share dates and times that we will be in your neighborhood for a coaching session at your town library

Background on Shantaw Bloise-Murphy
  • Shantaw was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • She lived in a neighborhood that had a lot of poverty and crime
  • She and her mother were homeless at one point
  • Her mom worked hard to send her to great schools in Jamaica 
    • Shantaw wants to make her mom proud of her
    • She’s inspired by her mom’s hard work and sacrifices
    • She’s also inspired by Nantucket’s Florence Higginbotham 

  • Shantaw moved to Nantucket with her mom in 2005 and graduated from Nantucket High School 


  • She then went to / graduated from Bridgewater State University in and studied Communication and Culture

  • She returned to Nantucket after college and has worked for several companies and organizations on the island including: 
    • Nantucket’s Chamber of Commerce
    • The Town of Nantucket (she is currently the Director of Culture and Tourism)

  • She’s been on the board for several non-profit organizations on the island related to housing, education and counseling assistance
    • Member of the Nantucket School Committee 
    • Board member of Nantucket Equity Advocates
    • Member of the Nantucket Cultural District Committee
    • Trust Member for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
    • On the Parent Advisory Committee for Nantucket Boys and Girls Club
    • On the Leadership Team for the Nantucket Book Foundation 

  • She is also the Co-Founder of Supple Sirens Bath & Body with best friend Bianca (who she met at Nantucket High and also went to college with!) 
    • Bianca learned to make soaps with her sister as a child and Shantaw learned to make butters & scrubs with her grandmother in Jamaica. 
    • They both love to create clean, chemical free products ​
    • They created Supple Sirens during their senior year of college and have traveled the world learning about new techniques and finding the best quality ingredients!

  • Shantaw is married to a high school classmate Ryan Murphy and together they recently opened a new surf shop (Broad Street Surf Shop) in the center of town


Now What? 
  • Connect With Us! 
    • Email us at [email protected]
    • Or call / text us at 617-513-3638. 
    • Let us know if you want to share any of your writing / reflecting by email.
    • Or if you want to join one of our in-person coaching sessions in your area

  • We can’t wait to hear from you!
    • Nika + Gretchen Johnson
    • CoFounders of NikaVika SisterHood
    • Publishers of Nika V. Magazine 
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