Prime Minister Simpson Miller Observes 40 years of Service to Jamaica

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller today observes 40 years of service to the people of Jamaica, a distinction held only by former Prime Ministers, the Most Hon. PJ Patter- son and the Most Hon. Edward Seaga.

Mrs. Simpson Miller’s four decades of public life have been characterised by a relentless focus on the poor and marginalised.

The nation’s seventh and only female Prime Minister, was installed for the second time, on January 5, 2012 having previously served as Prime Minister from March 2006 to September 2007, and conferred with the Order of the Nation.

She was elected Councillor for the Whitfield Division in 1974 and was the first elected Member of Parliament for South West St. Andrew, in 1976.

She has served 17 years as a Cabinet Minister, with Local Government, Community Development, and Sport.

Under Mrs. Simpson Miller’s leadership as Labour Minister, the country’s Overseas Work Programme was significantly expanded, while the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) became a major aspect of the Government’s social safety net.

She also played a pivotal role in the establishment of a Labour Chair in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies.

Mrs. Simpson Miller has tirelessly pushed for the strengthening of urban renewal and community development, leading to fundamental reforms in local government. Under her watch  as  Minister of Local Government, the Municipality of Portmore was established.

She was also instrumental in advancing the tourism Sustainable Tourism Development.

Mrs. Simpson Miller’s work has been recognised and lauded by the international community over the years, earning her recognition such as the International Olympic Committee’s World Women and Sport Trophy for dedication to Jamaican women in sports.

In 2012,Time Magazine ranked the Jamaican leader among its “100 Most Influential Persons in the World”.

Most recently, Prime Minister Simpson Miller was inducted into the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Hall of Fame at the IWF Leadership Conference in Vancouver, Canada. The IWF said the award was in recognition of the “incredible impact that women of courage, creativity and passion have made towards improving society, inspiring others and building better leadership in the world”.

The award makes her the second head of government in the Caribbean to be inducted following the late Prime Minister of Dominica, Dame Eugenia Charles.

Mrs. Simpson Miller is vice president of the Organization of American States’ High-level Inter American Network on Decentralisation; a member of the Council of Women World Leaders; Chairperson of the Caribbean Forum of Ministers responsible for decentralisation, local government, community development and citizen participation; Local Government and Citizen Participation; and board member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum…READ MORE

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