She is well known for her tenacious and fearless leadership as president of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica (NAJ). Considered a tough negotiator, Edith Allwood-Anderson has been unrelenting and militant in her advocacy for improvements in the working conditions for nurses islandwide and in her prolonged battle with Government for wage increases for members of the nursing profession.

Her close friend is retired nurse and former chief nursing officer at the Ministry of Health, Thelma Campbell, who has worked alongside Edith Allwood-Anderson during her previous and current presidency. She has served as chairman of the Journal Committee and an executive member of the NAJ for many years, and still serves as chairman of the Journal Committee.

In spite of her tough and unyielding stance on issues affecting the nursing profession, through the eyes of her close friend we learn of Edith Allwood-Anderson's compassion and love for the elderly, the poor and disadvantaged in society. We also learn of the many children she currently nurtures and her advocacy for improving the education and quality of life for underprivileged children in her hometown of Pepper in St Elizabeth.

How did you meet Edith Allwood-Anderson, and how long have you been friends?

I met her in 1997 when a group of nurses were demonstrating at the Nurses' Association of Jamaica about salary and fringe benefits. At that time, I was coordinator of the Ministry of Health's Nurses Practitioner Programme. The nurses were militant and I admired the way Edith took charge of the situation and brought order to the group. She was also able to clearly articulate their issues. From then the nurses saw her as a tough negotiator. I admired her firmness and how she operated and I had the opportunity to speak with her that day.

We began to communicate on a regular basis and would discuss issues affecting the nursing profession, as well as personal and family-related issues. She has had strong views about what she wants to do to improve the standard of the profession, to improve conditions for nurses and to make an impact at the regional and international level. Right now her goal is to become president of the International Council of Nurses, and she is a nominee for president for the year 2009.

We are poles apart in terms of our personalities, but we share similar interests in terms of the improvements we desire for the profession and our commitment to help improve the condition of life for people in general.

Tell us what you admire most about her, and why you think you have remained friends all these years.

I admire her frankness and objectivity. I also admire her creativity and 'innovativeness' - she was instrumental, for example, in establishing a centre for retired nurses here in Kingston, and now she's trying to establish a foundation to assist nurses affected by chronic illnesses. She is also kind and very caring, in that, no matter how busy she is she will take the time out to see how I am doing, and this is something she does for other nurses, especially those facing difficult circumstances.

Tell us something interesting about Edith.

She is a country girl who still lives in a community called Pepper in St Elizabeth, and a devout Christian who loves to work with the community and has a passion for young and underprivileged children. In fact, she has two biological sons and has adopted a son and fosters two daughters. She has also mothered many children from the community of Pepper, and this is because she is such a caring and loving person.

She also assists children in the community by advocating for scholarships to enable them to attend tertiary institutions here in Kingston. Edith is not just an advocate for nurses but for the elderly, the poor and the disadvantaged.

What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?

We talk about love and relationship ... she is a widow and so I often tease her about the possibility of a new relationship. We also talk about issues relating to the profession, as well as the projects we are involved in at our respective churches. (Edith Allwood-Anderson has been elder of the Moravian Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman since 1996).

Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with her.

When she was first elected president of the NAJ in 1997, she was elated but humble and she pledged to improve the image of nursing in Jamaica, the quality of care given by members of the profession and the quality of life for nurses in general, and that's what she has been working to do ever since. (She was elected president of the NAJ from 1997 to 2000 and again from 2005 to present).

Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of her, and why.

Her strength and her determination - she will do what she has to do, no matter the cost.

What are her favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?

Ackee and saltfish with yellow yam, cocoa and green bananas. She also loves steamed fish and okra.

Country and western and reggae. She is really the life of a party.

She loves cricket and athletics.

Tell us the colour that you associate with her:

Yellow - signifying someone you'll never forget

Orange - signifying someone you consider your true friend

Red - signifying someone you really love

Green - signifying someone who has had a significant impact on your life

Yellow: I will never forget Edith because of her invaluable contribution to the nurses association and for the many lively encounters we have had. I will always admire what she represents as a person.