Philanthropist Ruby Martin Awarded CD

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen on Wednesday (May 19), conferred Jamaica’s fifth highest national award, the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) on outstanding philanthropist, Ruby Martin, during a brief ceremony at King’s House.
A small gathering of family members and close friends and dignitaries, headed by Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, attended the brief ceremony held at King’s House.
The conferment of the honour was under the advice of the Prime Minister, and is in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations, 3, 4, 6 and 15 of the National Honours and Awards (Order of Distinction) Regulations.

Their Excellencies, the Governor-General the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right) and Lady Allen (left), share a light moment with Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, during the special investiture ceremony for the conferment of the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) on philanthropist, Ruby Martin, at King’s House on Wednesday (May 19). Sharing the moment at second right is Glynn Manley, widow of late former Prime Minster, Michael Manley. The award, which is the nation’s fifth highest, was conferred on Mrs. Martin, widow of late Custos Rotulorum of St. Andrew, Dr. John Martin, for her outstanding work with the Ward Theatre Foundation and the Maxfield Park Children’s Home. She was previously awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class).

The attendant Proclamation, which was read by Chief of State Protocol, Ambassador Elinor Sherlock, stated that the award, effective as at May 12, 2010, was in recognition of Mrs. Martin’s “charitable work at both the Maxfield Park Children’s Home, and the Ward Theatre Foundation.”
A founding member of the Ward Theatre Foundation, which was established in 1989, Mrs. Martin first served as a member of the board, and rose to become chairperson, the position she currently holds.
Mrs. Martin was chairperson of the Maxfield Park Children’s Home in St. Andrew for two decades, making a difference in the lives and hearts of youngsters at the institution during her tenure, which ended in 2007.
Prime Minister Golding, in expressing gratitude to Mrs. Martin for her contributions, noted that she, “more than any other person, has kept the dream of the Ward (Theatre) alive.”

Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding (left), converses with philanthropist, Ruby Martin, after she was conferred with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during a brief investiture ceremony at King’s House on Wednesday (May 19). The award, which is the nation’s fifth highest, was conferred on Mrs. Martin, widow of late Custos Rotulorum of St. Andrew, Dr. John Martin, for her outstanding work with the Ward Theatre Foundation and the Maxfield Park Children’s Home. She was previously awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class).

“I believe we owe it to you to ensure that your own dreams of a restored Ward Theatre, not just back to the glory of its glorious past, but to become part of the glory of the present and the future (are realised). If for no other reason, than (that) we owe it to you for the work you have done,” he said.
Mr. Golding described as “tremendous” Mrs. Martin’s efforts at bringing about a “new level of care and concern” for youngsters at Maxfield Park.
He pointed out that her input was not “just to supervise the administration of a government facility but to demonstrate that, even though it is a government facility.it can be a home that can nurture and mould those young lives.
“I know the passion with which you attended your job as chairman of the Maxfield Park Children’s Home, and I want to thank you for that,” Mr. Golding stated.
Mrs. Martin is the widow of former Custos Rotulorum for St. Andrew, Dr. John Martin. She was previously awarded the Order of Distinction (Officer Class).