This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating some fearless, game-changing Caribbean women who have made an indelible mark on history, culture, and society. Every day in March, we’ll spotlight one extraordinary woman—sharing her story, achievements, and lasting impact. From pioneers in politics and science to icons in the arts and activism, join us as we honor 31 trailblazing women in 31 days! Today, we’re taking a look at two champions of the arts from Jamaica, Edna Manley and Louise Bennett-Coverley.
Edna Manley
Edna Manley is celebrated as the mother of Jamaican art, a pioneering sculptor, and a fierce advocate for Caribbean identity. Her work and influence helped shape modern Jamaican culture, making her one of the most important figures in the region’s artistic history.
Born in England in 1900 to a Jamaican mother and an English father, Manley moved to Jamaica in 1922 after marrying Norman Manley, who would later become the country’s first premier. She was instrumental in the development of the Jamaican art movement, using her sculptures and paintings to depict the struggles and spirit of the Caribbean people.
Manley’s most famous works include “Negro Aroused,” which symbolizes the awakening of Black consciousness in Jamaica, and “The Diggers,” which reflects the resilience of the working class. She helped found the Jamaica School of Art, now part of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, which has nurtured generations of Caribbean artists.
Beyond her artistic contributions, Manley was an outspoken advocate for cultural development in Jamaica. She believed in the power of art to inspire social change and was deeply involved in fostering national pride through creative expression. During the 1930s and 1940s, her art reflected the rising independence movement, influencing the way Jamaicans saw themselves and their future.
Her work earned her numerous accolades, including Gold Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica for her outstanding contribution to art in 1943. She also received the Order of Merit (OM) by Jamaica in 1980, one of the nation’s highest honors. Even after her passing in 1987, her legacy continues through the institutions she helped build and the artists she inspired. Today, her impact can be seen in galleries, schools, and cultural spaces throughout the Caribbean.
Louise Bennett-Coverley
Louise Bennett-Coverley, affectionately known as “Miss Lou,” was Jamaica’s most beloved folklorist, poet, and storyteller. She used humor, wisdom, and her deep love of language to elevate Jamaican Patois and make it a source of national pride. Through her work, she changed how Jamaicans saw their culture and how the world appreciated their unique voice.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1919, Miss Lou showed a passion for storytelling from a young age. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and later became a powerful voice in Caribbean literature. At a time when many looked down on the local dialect, she championed Patois in her poetry, performances, and radio programs.
Her most famous works include poetry collections like “Jamaica Labrish” and “Anancy and Miss Lou,” which captured the humor, struggles, and resilience of everyday Jamaicans. She hosted the long-running television show “Ring Ding,” where she encouraged children to embrace their cultural heritage through song, dance, and storytelling.
Beyond Jamaica, Miss Lou’s impact reached the wider Caribbean and beyond. She received numerous honors, including the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001, and was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She also received the Norman Manley Award for Excellence and the Silver Musgrave Medal for her contribution to literature and the arts.
Miss Lou’s legacy lives on in the way Jamaicans speak, laugh, and celebrate their identity. Her influence can be seen in music, theater, and even modern-day reggae and dancehall lyrics.
