Ruby Elizabeth Martin
Do what you can for others without expecting anything, and if you can help someone, be gracious about it.
These are the words that have driven Ruby Elizabeth Martin to serve her country for more than four decades in volunteerism. This 70-year-old philanthropist has dedicated her time to the betterment of the nation's children, especially those of the Maxfield Park Children's Home in St. Andrew, where she is the chair. For years, she has also persistently lobbied for the restoration of the Ward Theatre located in downtown Kingston.
In her 20 years as chairman of the Maxfield Park Children's Home, many of her dreams for the institution have been realised. And while her vision for the Ward Theatre is still a way off, she is determined not to give up hope.
Over the years, Mrs. Martin has not only fought battles for the betterment of her country, but also for her own life. Two years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and while some women would have buckled under the pressure, this phenomenal woman used the experience to empower herself.
"It has made me stronger as a person and I never felt any remorse, I accepted it, dealt with it quickly, and here I am," she said.
Mrs. Martin is currently vice-chairman of the Ward Theatre Foundation, life member of the Jamaica Cancer Society and life member of the Lay Magistrates' Association. In the past she has served as board member of the Allsides Workshop and Jamaica Women's League, director of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, vice-chair of the chamber's civic affairs committee and the Juvenile Advisory Board.
Myrtle Clarke
'Dedication, methodology and psychology,' are what the career educator said is essential for a teacher to be successful.
Dodging bullets to get to school was one of the many obstacles, Myrtle Clarke, a former educator with more than five decades of experience, had to endure during the tumultuous 1970s.
But she was determined in her quest to impart knowledge to children in Kingston's volatile inner-city communities. While at St. Anne's Infant School in Hannah Town, Mrs. Clarke realised why she had to remain in education. On one particular day when the gun battle in the community was extremely heavy, only one child showed up to class. He was retarded and unable to read and write.
"I taught him to read a sentence in the one day," she said. "It was well worth it."
Mrs. Clarke taught at St. Joseph's Infant School for 27 years and St. Anne's Infant for 20. After retirement she worked seven additional years as principal at Marcus Garvey Infant School.
The essentials
"Dedication, methodology and psychology," are what the career educator said is essential for a teacher to be successful. She reiterated that regardless of the amount of money the Government pumps into education, it cannot improve if teachers do not have these characteristics.
The 77-year-old keeps her mind active by reading the newspaper every day and doing the crossword puzzles.
Teaching is not Mrs. Clarke's only passion but her involvement in the cub scouts is also of great importance to her. She was the first female district commissioner for cub scouting in the Caribbean and won numerous awards for her involvement, one was the silver crocodile, which is the highest form of recognition in scouting. It was presented to her by former Governor-General Sir Florizel Glasspole. However, she said she believes that scouting should be left for boys.
The devout Roman Catholic said whenever she travels she finds the nearest Catholic church to attend Mass.
Nell Robinson
This 20-year-old graduate of Immaculate Conception High School has probably been around the world twice and graced the pages of some of the most popular and glamorous magazines in the world.
Nell Robinson (real name Janelle) exploded in the fashion industry when she won the Supermodel of the Caribbean competition in 2002. Her mother, Janette Finson, was also a model, and beauty queen Cindy Breakespeare is her aunt.
In 2005, Nell graced the cover of ARENA and was declared 'the body of 2005'. She has had numerous spreads in GQ Magazine, is the premier face of Gossard, Britain's leading designer lingerie house, carried by Victoria's Secret, and also Gossard's 2006 calendar girl. Nell has also landed the first Victoria Secrets campaign for 2007.
Her r?sum? also includes fashion editorials for Cosmopolitan and she is now the face of Rimmel Cosmetics. Nell Robinson is the editorial star of June's British Cosmo, she has done shoots for German and Italian Vogue and is now starring in a John Lewis campaign appearing in top magazines such as Glamour, Marie Claire and billboards and posters all over the U.K.
Nell is also the face of avant-garde British fashion line All Saints and recently appeared in editorials for Tank and T3 magazines. Robinson has shot prints for J-Lo's perfume campaign and is the editorial star of June's British Cosmo.
