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Six decades of work with...CONTINUED FROM C6I *|vvice-chairman and district commit-;, tees were replaced by Parish ; Administrators. Mrs. G.G.R. Sharp ; was the first chairman and Lady ; Allan was appointed vice-chairman.1954-1964: Many new pro-■ jects were introduced and local - branches established basic schools. The Clothing Scheme * was expanded and JFW branches worked very closely with the Social Development Commission on the Nutrition Campaign (Food for Family Fitness - 3F) and the Better Homes Campaign. The latter campaign lasted for six years and in many homes, kitchens and bathrooms were added to original structures. During this period the administrative staff was expand-; ed to meet the demands of the ; various projects and the Federation employed its first trav-; elling officer, Miss Louise Bennett. Our newsletter, JFW News, kept members up-to-date on subjects relating to family life and national issues on a bimonthly basis.SECURING LANDSVice-chairman Lady Allan chaired a committee aimed at securing lands to establish a headquarters for the JFW and this became a reality when the building at 74 Arnold Road was officially opened in 1956. The JFW had a membership of 25,000 members on roll through an islandwide branch network of four hundred and fifty (450). Lady Allan became chairman in 1959 and served until 1962, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Lily Mae Burke. At ICM May 22,1961, the JFW called on the Government to ensure access for women involvement in agriculture. Lady Allan returned as chairman in 1971 and demitted office in 1976.1964 -1974: With the departure of our travelling officer for studies in England Mrs. Hazel Montieth was employed as the field co-ordinator. On the return to England of Sir Hugh Foot, Lady Foot (president 1951-1958, followed by Lady Blackburne, president 1959-1963) and the appointment of Sir Clifford Campbell Lady Campbell became the first Jamaican president (1963-1976). In addition to established projects, seminars and workshops were introduced on national issues such as family planning, literacy and status of children in association with other agencies. Wedding rings were still available at reduced prices since they were imported free of Customs Duty and members were encouraged to marry to ; ensure status within the family in terms of property rights, particularly in case of death of the breadwinners. The Federation also developed relationship with other international organisations with similar interest, thus exposing the executive and members to conferences in other countries. Lady Campbell left King’s House in 1973 and was succeeded by Lady Glasspole who served 1973-1976.1974 -1984: Since the JFW was self-funded, the Executive Committee established fund-raising and promotional activities such as islandwide tag drives with the branch with the highest collection being awarded the Lady Campbell Cup at the Island Council Meeting. Branches were asked to donate a gift for Homemaker’s Day exhibition held on the last Thursday in November at Headquarters. These gifts were then sold and the pro-ceedsdonated to the Central Fund. The Exhibition also gave members the opportunity to compete in six (6) categories relating to home-making, home-garden art and craft with shields being awarded to branches as well as individual prizes being awarded each year.Hon. Michael Manley, on April 11,1984 said: “The social programmes legislated during the 1970s such as maternity leave with pay, equal pay for women, the establishment of the Women’s Bureau and others, could be said to have had their genesis in the early and continuing efforts made by the Federation.Hon. Edward Seaga, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on April 24, 1984 said: “From the ‘Soup Kitchen’ and basic schools operations to training in home management, health, nutrition and child care, as well as counselling in family planning, among other services, the members of the Jamaica Federation of Women have shown unflinching commitment and willingness to sharing their skills and abilities for the benefit of their fellow Jamaican women.”On the resignation of Lady Glasspole in 1976 Lady Allan assumed the position of president after serving as chairman 1959-1962 and 1971-1976. Lady (Molly) Huggins visited the Federation in 1980 and on her death in 1981 the Lady Huggins Fund was established to assist aged and needy members of the Federation.LONGEST SERVING CHAIRMANMrs. Lucille Miller succeeded Lady Allan as chairman in 1976 and served two three-year terms to 1982, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Mavis Watt. She returned in 1985, serving a further three years, thus gaining the distinction of the iongest serving chairman.1984 -1994: The United States Peace Corps Volunteers were asked to help the Federation and they gave valuable service for over eight years. Our administrative staff was then reduced to a part-time secretary and office helper and the Federation relied on our volunteer parish administrators and branch members for sustenance of various projects. Lady Allan was appointed life president and the JFW surmounted many challenges including Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. The chairman, Mrs. Carole Diaz, and her team worked very hard to restore headquarters and various members through the branch network ensured that damages to buildings were quickly repaired. Grace, Kennedy and Company along with other organisations gave the JFW food which enabled us to supply branches which distributed to members.Mrs. Diaz demitted office at Island Council Meeting in 1994 and Mrs. Dotsie Gordon was elected chairman.The first mission of the executive was the publication of a 50th anniversary magazine by a committee chaired by Dr. Joyce Robinson, OD. We pledged tomeet the challenges of the 21st century by continuing our work in rural and urban communities in planning and implementing additional projects for economic development through education and training.INVITATION ACCEPTEDOn the death of Lady Allan in 1995 Mrs. Diaz was appointed president and Lady Cooke accepted our invitation to serve as patron. We then introduced roving seminars and travelled to various parishes to meet with our members and invited special speakers on various topics.CUSO was asked to assist us with co-operants to realise our mission and we were assigned two short-term volunteers. The Lucille Miller Trophy for Rural Woman of the Year Award in association with ACCWW was introduced on October 15 and the Volunteer of the Year Award on December 5 with the Carole Diaz Trophy in keeping with the United Nations Volunteer’s Day.JFW developed partnership with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust/Ministry of Education and Culture, C-Tech (Centre for Training in Education and Cultural Heritage) and formed Heritage Clubs of Jamaica. With the assistance of UNESCO and CFU we developed regional seminars for schools to establish Heritage Clubs. The first seminar was held at Ferncourt High School in St. Ann, followed by Fair ProspectHigh School in Portland and the Jamaica Conference Centre. It is expected that through Heritage Clubs, we will maintain the links to our traditional values through the sharing of skills and information among the youth and elderly community members.Under the chairmanship of Mrs. Dorothy LaCroix we have established a skills and craft centre at our headquarters. Mrs. LaCroix demitted office in 2003 and was succeeded by Dr. LucilleBuchanan.The present executive under the leadership of Dr. Buchanan plans to renovate the building, continue existing projects, revive rural and urban branches, maintain international relationships and develop sustainable projects for economic viability.REDUCE WASTEFinally, we ask all citizens to try to reduce waste of every kind and be absolutely careful in the management of the family budget. It is our hope that every citizen will be fully integrated in the mainstream of food production to ensure agricultural sustenance through access to land, credit, technology, training and agricultural extension services since the ability to feed ourselves might be the key to human development. It is also important that home-making be not confined to women but be seen as a shared responsibility among parents and children, thus balancing school, work and family life.“A house becomes a home when family members share and care for each other.”HURRH
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Kingston Gleaner
Kingston, Kingston, JM
Sat, Jul 24, 2004
Page 29
Full Page
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Susun W.
USA 14 Feb 2019
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