Former Jamaican PM Portia Simpson-Miller to be named UWI Honorary Distinguished Fellow

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller is to be named Honorary Distinguished Fellow of The University of the West Indies (UWI), the regional tertiary-level institution announced yesterday.

“We see her as an elder who has so much more to teach,” a UWI news release quoted Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.
“Arrangements are already in place for the provision of an office at the Mona Campus that will allow access to her by our students and colleagues,” the UWI said.
“We have also made provisions for her formal association with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies in order to facilitate her writing of memoirs and other literary productions.”

The UWI said that other ideas for Simpson-Miller’s deeper induction into the university community are under consideration, adding that Beckles noted that it will be a historic moment and a magnificent relationship, as Simpson-Miller has done so much for the university.

A joint sitting of Parliament is scheduled for today to pay respect to Simpson-Miller, who is scheduled to resign from the legislature on June 29 after serving for more than 40 years.

Jamaica’s first woman prime minister

Simpson-Miller became Jamaica’s first woman prime minister with the retirement of former Prime Minister PJ Patterson in March 2006.
She lost her first general election as prime minister to the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) led by former Prime Minister Bruce Golding in September 2007. She defeated current Prime Minister Andrew Holness to return to office in December 2011. However, she lost to Holness in February 2016.

She was the leader of the People’s National Party (PNP) from 2006 to March 2017, and the Leader of the Opposition twice from 2007 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017.

Yesterday, the UWI said it joins with the people of Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and its diaspora, as well as the global coalitions for democratic governance and equality for women and the inclusion of the poor, in celebrating Simpson-Miller’s long and distinguished contribution to public and political life.

“As the former prime minister prepares to exit the corridors of constituent and national leadership her legacy, shaped by a phenomenal rising from the grass roots and resilience at the highest echelons, will be the subject of significant research and academic discourse. Feminists will find much to discuss, and the trail of accomplishments at the highest level will provide room for robust interventions,” the UWI said.

“The UWI, therefore, consistent with its practice of celebrating our prime ministerial leaders, is keenly awaiting the opportunity to welcome Mrs. Simpson-Miller into its ranks as an Honorary Distinguished Fellow,” the university added.

Source: Jamaica Observer