Beverley Manley, former first lady of Jamaica and author of ‘The Manley Memoirs’ addressed a group last night in the college’s Mintz Auditorium on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The first presentation in the college’s ‘Renowned Caribbean Speaker Series’, Ms. Manley talked about her book, empowerment issues, and life in her home country of Jamaica.
“I came here to really share with the students some of what’s happening at home and encourage them to invest in Jamaica,” she said. “And also to come back even if they choose to continue to live here and to continue to think of Jamaica as home.”
Previously married to the late Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley, Ms. Manley, was the First Lady of Jamaica from 1972-1980. During this time, she assumed an activist role in the governing of the People’s National Party (PNP), strongly advocating for women and children’s rights. Previously, she worked at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, where she became a popular media personality.
“She had a very special time with the students, hearing their personal stories about their lives before they came to America and their time at Monroe,” said Dr. Geneive Brown Metzger, former Jamaican Consul General and Monroe’s Director of Government Relations and Outreach for the Caribbean. “And the fact that she was so open with students really inspired them to open up. It was really very excellent.”
Top photo: (l.-r.) Monroe College Director of Admissions Dr. Cecil Wright, Beverly Manley, Professor Patricia Edwards, and Director of Government Relations and Outreach for the Caribbean Geneive Brown Metzger.
For more information about the college’s Renowned Caribbean Speaker Series, contact Gary Axelbank, Director of Public Relations, at gaxelbank@monroecollege.edu.
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