Remembering Louise Bennett-Coverley on her 100th Birthday

Painting done by KavionArt. Esty: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KavionArt

Louise Bennett was born in Kingston on September 7, 1919. In 1940s,  Louise was awarded a scholarship from the British Council. She was the first black student to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduating, she worked at Coventry, Huddersfield and Amersham. She also hosted two radio programs for BBC while she was in England. These were "Caribbean Carnival" & "West Indian Night".

 Image result for louise bennett

She returned to Jamaica and taught folklore and drama at The University of the West Indies. She produced a series of radio monologues, hosted the children's TV show "Ring Ding" and appeared in various motion pictures such as Calypso and Club Paradise.
Behind the scenes of Ring Ding with Ms. Lou

Her poetry was first published in the Sunday Gleaner in 1943. Since then, Louise has written many books that are now used in schools and loved all over the world. Her poetry passionately depicts the highs and lows of the little big island.  She was an advocate for Jamaican culture and her passion drove Patois to be recognized as a national language. She strongly believed our culture belonged to us and that Jamaicans should be aware of it.
Louise Bennett performing "Noh Likkle Twang" 


Louise is credited for giving Harry Belafonte a platform for his hit "Day-O" (The Banana Song) when she told him about a folk song called "Hill and Gully Rider" . Her work and passion have inspired many. You may notice that several current Jamaican poets such as Mutabaruka & Yasus Afari are influenced by her work. 
Ms. Lou 1919 - 2006

She received several awards including the Order of Jamaica in 1974, Jamaican Order of Merit in 2001 and Musgrave Medal in 1978. You can find a selection of Louise Bennett's personal papers at the National Library of Jamaica. She has one son named Fabian. In 2006, Jamaica grieved deeply when Louise Bennett died on July 26. She was 86 years old.

 Louise Bennett remains an unforgettable cultural legacy to Jamaicans at home and abroad.
Tomorrow on September 7th, 2019, Jamaicans celebrate her 100th birthday all over the world!
We love you forever, Miss Lou and will never forget the great contribute you made to Jamaica and Jamaicans.



Artwork done by Kavionart. 
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