Jamaican to serve as Lady Mayoress

LONDON — One of the founding members of the Jamaica Society Leeds, Elizabeth 'Betsy' Johnson has been asked by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor, The Reverend Alan Taylor to act as his official Lady Mayoress.

Mrs. Johnson told JIS News that she was honoured to be asked by Reverend Taylor to be his Lady Mayoress. 

Reverend Taylor, who is Vicar of St. Aidan’s, in Harehills, Leeds, isa long standing family friend. Mrs. Johnson along with her late husband, Travis Johnson, was among the founding members of the Jamaica Society Leeds and were long standing members of St. Aidan’s church.

“I was really pleased to be asked to support the Lord Mayor. I felt that it was a great honour and I am really excited,” she said.

Mrs. Johnson came to the United Kingdom (UK) in 1961 and was trained as a nurse and midwife at Stratford on Avon. She moved to Leeds in 1966, following her marriage. She said her original plan was to live in the UK for a maximum of six years. Mrs. Johnson was a midwife until she retired in 1993, and also Manager of a Home Care service.

She is an active member of the Jamaican Society and served as its Secretary and executive member for a number of years. She is also a member of the Jamaica Diaspora UK.

As Lady Mayoress, she will support the Lord Mayor on his official duties during his year in office.

By VIVIENNE SIVA, JIS Reporter