Proud moments
A total of 221 Jamaicans who have given sterling contributions to Jamaica’s development in various capacities were on Monday recognised during the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards held on the lawns of King’s House.
The Jamaica Observer’s very own Executive Editor – Publications Vernon Davidson was one of the honorees who proudly walked across the tent-covered lawns of King’s House to receive their awards.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen conferred Davidson into the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for outstanding contribution to journalism.
Davidson, who has given 41 years of exemplary service to the journalism field, 29 of which have been spent at the Observer, said he was surprised but grateful to the country for recognising his work over these many years which has been “exciting, tiring, challenging, rewarding”.
“None of us [journalists], I think, here do this work for that sort of recognition. [Even though] we like when we win journalism awards, [we] never do it with that in mind,” he said.
The respected executive editor, who is known for his deep-seated passion for journalism, said he feels fulfilled to know that through his work he is contributing to the development of the country.
“One of the things I enjoy most is when we help people, through those stories that highlight the plight of Jamaicans, who then benefit from the generosity of readers after publication,” he said while smiling broadly.
“Hopefully it [the national award] can inspire younger journalists to work hard and contribute to the development of the country,” he said.
Also recognised for their contribution to journalism were Gleaner photojournalists Ian Allen and Rudolph Brown. They were bestowed with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service.
Another notable recipient was actress-singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, who was conferred with the honorary Order of Jamaica (OJ) for her sterling contribution as an actress, cultural ambassador for Jamaica and the contribution to the international film industry.
Looking resplendent in a one-sleeved yellow dress, Ralph told journalists who clamoured to interview her after the ceremony that being conferred with the Order of Jamaica after accepting her first Emmy Award last month “is the icing on the cake”. Ralph is the first black woman to win that award in 35 years.
“I thought it was a feeling of elation when I won the Emmy, but to be conferred with the Order of Jamaica, I feel so proud…and the way people are responding throughout Jamaica and across the Caribbean has been phenomenal,” she said.
“They say there is a reason, a season, and a time. Well I am in my season and I am reaping the benefits of love and I’m just so thrilled…I’m just blessed and thankful and truly grateful,” she said.
Ralph said the national award was even more special given that her mother — Jamaican fashion designer, the late Ivy Ralph — had been conferred with the Order of Distinction in 1999 for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of Jamaican fashion. “We say Original Diva although we know it’s Order of Distinction,” she said.
For Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange, who stood just as regally beside Ralph in the now-sweltering tent, she told journalists that she was humbled at the honour. Grange was bestowed with the Order of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to cultural development and political administration in Jamaica.
“I’m accustomed to being the one behind the scenes, organising things, so you can imagine how overwhelmed I am…It’s an emotional time for me in so many ways, because I was surprised when I was told that I was one of the honorees,” she admitted.
Grange said what she is also “very happy about, very proud about”, is the fact that this is the first time so many women have been honoured with the Order of Jamaica at one national awards ceremony, “and it’s the 60th anniversary of Independence, so it speaks volumes to the role women have played and [to] our Diaspora, because Sheryl Lee Ralph is seen as a member of the Jamaican Diaspora”.
“As the minister of gender it’s great when you serve your country and you are recognised. It’s great when you love you country and you put your heart and soul into making your country look good and your people feel good. And when they, in turn, say thank you in this way it’s a touching experience,” she said.
Among the women bestowed with the OJ was Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for her outstanding performance in the field of athletics at the international level. Fraser-Pryce was previously honoured in 2008 with the Order of Distinction for her achievements in athletics.
The other female OJ recipients were Joan Duncan, who was honoured posthumously for distinguished services in the banking sector and the development of the money market in particular; Rita Humphries-Lewin, for sterling contribution to the financial sector, in particular the stockbroking industry; Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan for pioneering research, clinical work and policy development in the field of child health, child development and behaviour; and permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Sewell, for distinguished contribution to the public service.
Also a proud award recipient was minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth And Job Creation, with responsibility for works, Clifford Everald Warmington who was honoured with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for service in representational politics for over 50 years and as a Member of Parliament for 20 consecutive years.
Warmington, who is also Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Western, told the Observer that he is grateful for the national recognition.
“I feel honoured for the recognition extended to me by my country, and I’ll continue to serve as long as I have breath and health,” he said.
In 2019, and as recent as last month, Warmington had told the House of Representatives that he will not seek re-election at the end of the current term due to end in 2025.
Further, esteemed storyteller and author Dr Amina Blackwood Meeks, her countenance illuminated by the smile stretched across her face, told the Observer that she felt “fabulous” to have been honoured by her country.
Dr Blackwood Meeks was invested into presented with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for contribution to the development of the literary arts in the Jamaican culture.
“It is just always so wonderful to be recognised by your own people, so I am happy [for this award],” she said.
Also notable among the award recipients are those who were presented with the Badge of Honour for Gallantry for saving a hearing-impaired boy from drowning; thwarting the kidnapping of a 12-year-old girl by a taxi operator; and saving the life of a police officer who was found on the ground on the side of the road after having been shot the day before. Two policemen were also conferred with the Medal of Honour for Gallantry for using their bodies as shields to safely remove residents, including an 18-month-old baby, from nearby apartments during a police operation involving a heavily armed man on the list for St James most wanted in 2018.