Prime Minister Conferred with Order of the Nation

On  May 29, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller was conferred with the honour of the Order of the Nation (ON) by Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Order of the Nation, the Hon. Mr. Justice Lensley Wolfe, at an investiture         ceremony held at King's House.

            In her response, the Prime Minister said  she accepted the honour with humility and on behalf of all Jamaicans. She said she recognized the enormous responsibility that had been placed on her and called on Jamaicans everywhere to join her in working to create a better quality of life for the poor and oppressed.

            "As I move about this country seeking partnership, I ask all Jamaicans - the trade union movement, workers, employers - to join me as we work to create a better way of life for the poor and the oppressed," the Prime Minister said.

            Mrs. Simpson Miller said she was honoured to have been able to break the 'glass ceiling' and that in     so doing, she has paved the way for more women to make their contribution at any level of government and within the society.

            The Order of the Nation may be conferred on any Governor-General of Jamaica and on any person who has been appointed Prime Minister of Jamaica. A member of the Order is styled 'the Most Honourable' and the spouse of the member is also entitled to be similarly styled.

            Mrs. Simpson Miller was conferred with the Order of the Nation in her capacity as Prime Minister of Jamaica, making her the second Prime Minister to receive the award while in office.

            All former Prime Ministers of Jamaica are members of the Order of the Nation.