Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP NATION BUILDING rime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Local Government, Community Development, and Sustainable Tourism Development. The award makes her the second head of govern- Miller today observes 40 years of service to “In our political history, Sport. Mrs. Simpson Miller’s work has been recog- ment in the Caribbean to be inducted following the late Pthe people of Jamaica, a distinction held only Under Mrs. Simpson Miller’s leadership as nised and lauded by the international community Prime Minister of Dominica, Dame Eugenia Charles. by former Prime Ministers, the Most Hon. PJ Patter- it is a rare opportunity to be Labour Minister, the country’s Overseas Work Pro- over the years, earning her recognition such as the Mrs. Simpson Miller is vice president of the Or- son and the Most Hon. Edward Seaga. given a second chance gramme was significantly expanded, while the International Olympic Committee’s World Women ganization of American States’ High-level Inter Amer- PRIME MINISTER the Most Hon. Portia Mrs. Simpson Miller’s four decades of public life National Insurance Scheme (NIS) became a major and Sport Trophy for dedication to Jamaican women ican Network on Decentralisation; a member of the Simpson Miller is presented with her award for have been characterised by a relentless focus on the to lead... after being aspect of the Government’s social safety net. in sports. Council of Women World Leaders; Chairperson of the induction into the International Women’s poor and marginalised. She also played a pivotal role in the establishment of In 2012, Time Magazine ranked the Jamaican Caribbean Forum of Ministers responsible for decen- Forum (IWF) Hall of Fame by President of the The nation’s seventh and only female Prime Min- tested and tempered, a Labour Chair in the Department of Government at leader among its “100 Most Influential Persons in the tralisation, local government, community development IWF Jamaica Chapter, Patricia Ramsey, in ister, was installed for the second time, on January I stand before you, today, the University of the West Indies. World”. and citizen participation; Local Government and Citi- Vancouver, Canada in October 2013. 5, 2012 having previously served as Prime Minister Mrs. Simpson Miller has tirelessly pushed for the Most recently, Prime Minister Simpson Miller was zen Participation; and board member of the Common- from March 2006 to September 2007, and conferred a stronger and better strengthening of urban renewal and community de- inducted into the International Women’s Forum (IWF) wealth Local Government Forum. with the Order of the Nation. velopment, leading to fundamental reforms in local gov- Hall of Fame at the IWF Leadership Conference in She was elected Councillor for the Whitfield person, who is ernment. Under her watch as Minister of Local Vancouver, Canada. The IWF said the award was in Division in 1974 and was the first elected Member of prepared to be of service Government, the Municipality of Portmore was recognition of the “incredible impact that women of Parliament for South West St. Andrew, in 1976. established. courage, creativity and passion have made She has served 17 years as a Cabinet Minister, with to my country and people” She was also instrumental in advancing the tourism towards improving society, inspiring others portfolio responsibility for Labour and Welfare, Tourism, industry, as the leading architect of the Master Plan for and building better leadership in the world”. PRIME MINISTER the Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller takes time out of her busy schedule to reach out to the little ones at Jamaica House Basic School at an annual Christmas treat on December 6, 2013. PRIME MINISTER the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller is presented with the instrument of appoint- ment by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, as she is sworn in for the second time as Prime Minister on January 5, 2012 at Hon. Michael MINISTER OF LABOUR, Welfare and Sport, Hon. was the King’s House. , the Most Portia Simpson (right) in discussion with Prime Minister, the PRIME MINISTER the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller speaks with MINISTER OF LABOUR, Welfare and Sport, Hon. Portia Simpson Most. Hon. Michael Manley (centre), and Deputy Prime Min- February, 1989 with Prime Minister Her Excellency, Dr. Michelle (2nd right) in From left, front row are: Hon. Robert ister, Hon. PJ Patterson in 1989. Bachelet, President of Chile, prior Manley (centre) and other Ministers of Government. Miss Simpson son; Hon. PJ Patterson; Hon. Seymour to a luncheon at Jamaica House. only female member of the Cabinet. Pickersgill; Hon. Paul Robert Mullings; Hon. OD Ramtallie; (back row from left): Hon. Claude Clarke; PRIME MINISTER the Most Hon. Portia Hon. Ralph Brown; Hon. David Coore; Hon. Frank Pringle; Hon. Hugh Simpson Miller signs a bilateral agree- Small; Hon. Carl Rattary; Hon. Horace Clarke; Hon. Easton Douglas; ment with President of the Bolivarian Hon. Carlyle Dunkley; Hon. Douglas Manley; and Hon. Desmond Leaky. Republic of Venezeula, Hugo Chavez, during a working visit to the island in March 2007. presented PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller is with the instrument of appointment by Governor- General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, at her swearing-in ceremony in March 2006. MINISTER OF LABOUR, Welfare and Sport, Hon. Portia Simpson presents Olympian, Merlene Ottey with a gift during a courtesy call at the Ministry in 1991. PORTIA SIMPSON in the early years of her political career, is sworn in by Governor- General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir AS LABOUR Minister, Mrs. Simpson Miller Florizel Glasspole, as Parliamentary shows keen interest in operations at the Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Foska Oats factory, during a tour of the in September 1977. facility in June 1999. MINISTER OF LABOUR, Welfare and Sport, Hon. Portia Simpson Miller greets pensioners at the Ministry in 1999. NEWLY ELECTED Member of Parliament, Portia Simpson, adresses residents in her country’s South West St. Andrew constituency, at the singer, launch of the Greeenwich Town Youth DURING HER tenure in charge of the Sports portfolio, AN IMPASSIONED Committee in February 1977. PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller receives a with American PRIME MINISTER the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miss Simpson advanced the interests of the Portia Simpson, MP, rousing welcome from staff at the Ministry of Local Miller with Prince Harry at a welcome dinner at athletes. Here she is pictured awards addresses a gather- Government during a visit shortly after her install- King’s House in March 2012, during his visit to Anita Baker (right), and Mayor of Kingston, Her Wor- ing in December ment as Prime Minister in 2006. At right is Local 1977. Jamaica. ship Councillorceremony Marie Atkins for Olympian, duringin May an 1991.Merlene Ottey, Government Minister, Hon. Dean Peart..