Politics was never a field she thought about entering. But to date, she hasbeen serving the town of Morant Bay, St. Thomas, as mayor for three years.

Mayor Joan Spencer, the only female mayor in the island, was encouraged by the residents of Seaforth, St. Thomas to be their councillor in. She served as councillor for the division until the last parish council elections when she was nominated mayor. She gained the confidence of her constituents and was elected councillor in 2004. It was her first shot at representational politics and was made all the more memorable when her peers nominated her to become mayor.

"It's very difficult and very challenging to deliver what the people want, even the basic needs like roads and water supply," she said.

Challenges are not new to her, as after her mother passed away, it was up to her as the oldest of four girls to continue her mother's business in the district.

Though the job of mayor is difficult, she says it gives her joy to see the cleaned drains or running water in areas that previously had to do without. These achievements give her hope that she is making a difference. Constantly seeking ways to improve the state of her parish, the mayor plans to help create more job opportunities for the youth in her parish.

"It is discouraging to see young people coming in and asking, 'can you get a job for me?" I also would like to see more institutions, especially for the slow children. I want to stamp out illiteracy in St. Thomas," she said.

Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer

Aloun Assamba

This lawyer-turned-politician is a member of the governing People's National Party (PNP) and Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture.

Born in St. Catherine in 1966, she attended the University of Pittsburgh; Norman Manley Law School, University of the West Indies; Institute of Management and Production and Capital University of Columbus, Ohio as a mediator and trainer i dispute resolution.

Before her entry into politics, Ms. Assamba was general manager of the City of Kingston Co-operative Credit Union. She was also acting chairperson of the Fair Trading Commission, deputy chair, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and chairman of Moneague Primary and Junior High. In 1999, she recieved the Clincquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Award from the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston for Professional Achievement. In that same year she was named Woman of the Year by the American Biographical Institute and given an honorary appointment to the Professional Women Advisory Board by the American Biographical Institute in 2000.