Professor Tony Martin gestures during his speech at the launch of his book 'Amy Ashwood Garvey, Pan-Africanist, Feminist and Mrs. Marcus Garvey No. 1' (subtitle 'A Tale of Two Amies') while Professor Carolyn Cooper looks on at Liberty Hall, King Street, on Tuesday. - Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

The last part of the long title of Professor Tony Martin's latest book around Marcus Garvey's life, was underscored on Tuesday evening by a mural near the lectern used by the speakers at Liberty Hall.

For a while, the book being launched was entitled Amy Ashwood Garvey, Pan-Africanist, Feminist and Mrs. Marcus Garvey No. 1, (subtitle or 'A Tale of Two Amies'). And the face of the second Amy, Amy Jacques Garvey, was just behind and to the right of all who used the podium on the roof of Liberty Hall, 76 King Street, Kingston.

Full house turned up

A full house turned out for the presentation of the book, hosted by the director/curator of Liberty Hall, Donna McFarlane, the Akwaaba Drummers slowing down a steady throb to applause and students in Liberty Hall's Outreach Programme reciting Self-Made Woman.

McFarlane also read the address from guest speaker, publisher Ian Randle, who was unable to attend. "I could not think of a better person whose work I would like to present," Randle wrote, naming Martin, Robert Hill and Rupert Lewis among the scholars who have rescued Garvey's name from ignominy.

The difference with Martin is "the passion with which he addresses and presents Garvey and his life's work".

In giving a synopsis of the book, Randle said that Amy Ashwood Garvey and Marcus Garvey were married on Christmas Day, 1919 and separated only a few months later. Amy Ashwood then, "for the remaining 50 years of her life, carried out a relentless campaign against Garvey and Amy Jacques to be recognised as the only Mrs. Marcus Garvey".

Synopsis of the relationship

Martin, in his address, gave a synopsis of Amy Ashwood and Marcus Garvey's relationship, starting with their meeting at a debate in 1914, through to a separation in 1915 and reunion in Harlem, New York, in 1918. However, on their first honeymoon stop in Toronto, Canada, customs officers discovered a bottle of whiskey in her luggage. This was during the days of Prohibition and Marcus Garvey described it as the "most embarrassing day of his life".

Martin said she had a miscarriage, the baby apparently not for her husband, and in all the accusations of infidelity after the break-up Marcus Garvey was able to produce a letter that proved she had once been pregnant with a child that was not for him. "I remember clearly what you said to me on that occasion, 'Amy, I will marry you even if the baby is not mine'," Martin quoted.

"She was a woman of great substance nevertheless. She was a significant Pan-Africanist in her own right," Martin said, noting her role in the formation of what became the West African Students Union (WASU) and the who's who of Pan-Africanists who were around or influenced by her, including CLR James and James Padmore. He also pointed out that not publishing any of her manuscripts, she was a "serious academic" as well as a pioneer politician in Jamaica, starting the JAG Smith Political Party ahead of the historic 1944 general election.

"She is a very majorfigure and I commend her to you," Martin ended.

However, in an on-stage interview, Professor Carolyn Cooper questioned how Amy Ashwood Garvey was portrayed, noting that in his address, Martin "is a bit more positive than he is in the book".

There were presentations of plaques to Sister Marianne Samad and Beverly Hamilton, as well as copies of the book to Liberty Hall and the National Library of Jamaica, before Vivian Crawford of the Institute of Jamaica gave the official thank you.