High Commission in UK Honours Outstanding Women

The High Commission in London paid tribute to four outstanding Jamaican women in the United Kingdom, at a reception to celebrate International Women’s Day 2015, on March 4.

The  four women  are: Mrs. Mavis Stewart, a  former  nurse and midwife who is a founding  member of the Association of Jamaicans UK Trust;  Dame Karlene Davis, former General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives; Ms. Beverly Johnson, Birmingham-based businesswoman and entrepreneur; and Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplin to her Majesty the Queen and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

High Commissioner, Her Excellency, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, said it was fitting way to commemorate International Women’s Day.

“It is our pleasure to be able to host this special reception to honour some of our outstanding Jamaican women here in the Diaspora.  We thought that it would be only fitting to commemorate International Women’s Day this year, by recognising those women among us who have and continue to blaze a trail for so many others – both men and women – to follow,” she said.

The High Commissioner said that the four women were shining examples of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance.

“Each of these ladies have excelled and overcome their own challenges in their respective fields to be beacons of hope and inspiration for all generations.  They have continued the long tradition of outstanding and unswerving commitment of so many members of the Diaspora who have not only come and settled in the UK,  but have contributed significantly to this country’s overall development,” she noted.

She said that the High Commission was particularly proud of each of the honourees who have been an integral part of the work of the Mission.

The event was supported by Jamaica National Building Society, and all four women received a commemorative plaque. Special citations in their honour were also read.

Mrs. Stewart was unable to attend and her plaque was received by her daughter Michelle.