WASHINGTON, DC – The designation of Portia Simpson-Miller as Prime Minister of Jamaica is a “Caribbean victory which will be heard around the world” says the head of a leading development organization with programs in Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Simpson-Miller will be installed as head of government on March 30 when outgoing Prime Minister PJ Patterson retires.
Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International, said she follows in the footsteps of Dominica’s Dame Eugenia Charles and Barbados’ Dame Nita Barrow as eminent Caribbean leaders who made a difference in the lives of the marginalized and downtrodden, not just in the region, but across the planet.
“It is also an example of how the Caribbean is making the maximum use of all its people, male and female alike, in the month we celebrate International Women’s Day. Just take a look at how well the region is currently being managed by today’s women of esteem,” said LeLaulu, referring to St. Lucia’s Berthia Parle, president of the Caribbean Hotel Association; Jamaican Dr. Carol Jacobs, Chairman of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; US Virgin Islander Pamela Richards, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization; and Jamaican Patricia Francis, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Geneva-based International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO.
“We should all celebrate Mrs. Simpson-Miller’s accomplishment and give her our full support in governing the island nation of Jamaica,” said LeLaulu who is also a board member of InterAction, the alliance of America’s largest development and humanitarian agencies which between its 160-plus members dispenses some US$7 billion worth of assistance every year.
Simpson-Miller, a 60 year-old grassroots populist and Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, emerged as the winner of a close race for the mantle of the ruling People’s National Party last month. She captured 1,775 votes, from a possible 3,800 votes, clipping her main contender Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security who scored 1,538 votes with the delegates. Dr. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning, and Dr. Karl Blythe chalked up 283 and 204 votes respectively.
