“The Public Spiritedness of Rose Agatha Leon”
Madam Rose Leon dedicated the greater part of her life in Jamaica. One of the many contributions she made to public life was the unique sense of balance for which she has become known. She never failed to point out to her own colleagues as well as others any blemish or shortcomings. This outspokenness made her a credible voice in the political spectrum. It further revealed those two invaluable qualities of genuine leadership, Integrity and Candour.
Rose Leon was a “people’s politician”. Always uppermost in her mind and actions were the underclass, the underprivileged, in our society. She had sincere and genuine compassion for them and they in turn replied with an effusion of popular love. They flocked to hear her speak from the platform and many politicians also listened very ardently to her deliveries and opinions, given publicly or within the closer confines of administrative function. These never failed to bear the stamp of an unusual intellect both by way of substance and of style. People who had the privilege to work with her never failed to recognise the qualities of leadership which she brought to the political field. Madam never failed to reveal her genuine and sincere interest in the depressed section of our society.
She WAS A PIONEER IN MANY FIELDS. She was not only one of the very few female politicians to earn elective honours as a representative of the Government, but she occupied the position in the Cabinet as Minister, the very highest role of the state. What is more, this outstanding pioneer accomplished the record still unequalled in our history of being the first female Minister of Government in both political parties in this country. She sent a clear signal that the women of Jamaica were ready and that the woman’s place was not only at home but in the forefront of national development. This is no mean accomplishment. It not only proved that no achievement of that nature is beyond the ability of women. It also proved that she never sought applause from blind Party supporters. She always deserved the admiration from the public at large as she never was a slave to narrow party interest nor a bigot to any sect. Her record in public life was never influenced by publicity nor governed by personal interest.
This very special lady was also a pioneer in other areas. In the very early stages of her career, she established a school of Beauty Culture which soon became a profession of the highest quality among the women in the land. This she achieved not only by hard work and administrative skill of the highest order but by her insistence in excellence among her students.
Rose Leon never considered her femininity to be a hindrance to her success. Many people may not remember the various areas of public service in which this very able woman took part. She was once Deputy Mayor of Kingston, a vibrant member on the Committees of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association, a member of the Local Government Association and the Jamaica Federation of Women. Madam was a Life Member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and a very active member on the National Council for the Aged.
Madam Leon, by her example, revealed a vision of leadership. The message she sends us says “aim for the stars, but if you do reach them, run towards the sun, and if we fail to reach the target, walk towards the Horizon but NEVER STOP MOVING TOWARDS YOUR GOAL!”
Shortly after the 1944 elections she joined the Jamaica Labour Party, and by 1948, at the annual JLP Conference, she was elected Chairman of the Party. With her strong leadership and business skills, she was an active fund raiser and a good organizer.
Mrs. Leon was also a founding member of the Jamaica Federation of Women, along with Lady Huggins and Mrs. Mary Morris Knibb.
As someone with her roots in business, Mrs. Leon also carried that knowledge into policy-making. She was again a founding member of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and was also the first woman to hold office in that Association.
Later in 1967, she also served a term as President of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association. She went on to become one of the longest serving Directors of their Board and was made a Life Member of their Board of Directors in 1993.
In her own words “something incredible happened”. In 1967, she was welcomed into the ranks of the People’s National Party by the Rt. Hon. Norman Manley, and won a seat in the 1969 Local Government election in the Brandon Hill division of West Rural St. Andrew. She served as Chairman of the KSAC Roads and Works Committee from 1969 to 1972, and Deputy Mayor of the KSAC in 1971.
In 1972 running on the PNP ticket, Madam Rose Leon regained the West Rural St. Andrew parliamentary seat and was appointed Minister of Local Government.
Many honours were awarded to Madam Rose Leon including the National Honour of Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD) in 1982 and the award by the Jamaica Bureau of Women’s Affairs of “Woman of Distinction” at the end of the United Nations Decade for Women in 1985. In July 1998 Madam Rose was one of 6 special awardees at an Awards Banquet for long serving Justices of the Peace: she had been a Justice of the Peace since 1949, close to 50 years at the time of her award. Up to the time of her death she remained very active in the Lay Magistrates Association and enthusiastically attended their local and international conferences.
Among numerous other awards were the Keys to the City of New York from Mayor John V. Lindsay in 1971; the City of London Medal from the Lord Mayor of London, Rt. Hon. Lord Mais in 1973; Award from the Bustamante Institute of Public and International Affairs in 1987, for Outstanding Contribution to Caribbean Development in the field of Politics, as the first woman Minister of Government in Jamaica; Award from the St Andrew Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1989, in recognition of Distinguished Public Service and Leadership in the field of Politics; Glen Owen Award as “Model Widow” in 1989; and a Posthumous Award at the 75th Anniversary of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation in 1999, for Long and Dedicated Service. Madam Rose Leon’s motto was, “Hard work as a way to achievement: envy no one”
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