Condolence Book for Miss Lou Opened in Washington

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Professor Gordon Shirley, was the first to sign the condolence book for late Jamaican cultural icon Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou), which opened yesterday (July 31) at the Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The opening of the book will give Jamaicans residing in the US capital and surrounding areas, an opportunity to pay tribute to the island’s First Lady of Culture. At a brief signing ceremony, Ambassador Shirley informed that the condolence book would remain open at the Embassy for two weeks from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m each weekday. He added that a number of Ambassadors representing Caribbean islands have already indicated their intention to sign.
The book will also be made available for signing at the Independence thanksgiving service that will take place at Howard University’s Dumbarton Chapel on Sunday, August 6. This, the Ambassador said, was to facilitate those persons, who wished to sign, but were unable to visit the Embassy.
Miss Lou, Ambassador Shirley noted, “was a true leader, who inspired the nation to take pride in its language and culture and encouraged her countrymen to see their culture as a tool to be used in community development and nation building.” Jamaicans everywhere, he said, salute Miss Lou for a life well lived. A large number of Jamaicans turned out to sign the condolence book at the Embassy.