The Most Honourable Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller, ON, MP
- tcollins66
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 12
2006-2007 & 2012-2016
Mrs. Portia Lucretia Simpson-Miller was born on December 12, 1945, in the rural community of Wood Hill, St. Catherine. Mrs. Simpson-Miller began her formal education in Jamaica at the Marlie Hill Primary School before attending the former St. Martin’s High School and then the Jamaica Commercial Institute.
After joining the political sphere in 1974, Mrs. Simpson-Miller continued her academic pursuits alongside her political career, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the Union Institute of Miami. Several years later, she made history as the first graduate of the Institute to be awarded an honorary degree, the degree of Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Additionally, Mrs. Simpson-Miller holds a Certificate in Advanced Management from the University of California, Berkley and a Certificate in Public Relations and Advanced Management from the Institute of Management and Production, Jamaica (NLJ).
Early Political Career and Rise to Leadership
The Municipal elections of 1974 marked the start of Mrs. Simpson-Miller’s political journey in public service as a member of the People’s National Party (PNP), representing the Trench Town area. This achievement in the Municipal elections set the foundation for her rise in national politics and paved the way for her candidacy in the general elections of 1976 and 1980.
As a member of the People’s National Party, Mrs. Simpson-Miller served in several capacities, starting with her role as Councillor in the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) in 1974. Elected as a Member of Parliament for South-West St. Andrew in 1976 (NLJ), Mrs. Simpson-Miller dedicated 43 years to public service before retiring in 2017 (Jamaica Gleaner).
She also served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and in the Office of the Prime Minister in 1977, as PNP Vice President in 1978 and as President of the Women’s Movement of PNP in 1983. Her Cabinet Portfolios included Minister of Labour and Security (1989), Minister of Tourism and Sport (2000) and Minister of Local Government, Community Development and Sport (2002).
The highlight of her political career occurred in 2006 when she was elected as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister and awarded the Jamaican Order of the Nation (UWI Global). Mrs. Simpson-Miller served a total of five years as Prime Minister, including her re-election for the 2012–2016 term. Through her commitment to regional integration and cooperation (UWI Global), she has been recognised as one of Jamaica’s most successful and popular female politicians (NLJ).
Social and Economic Development Contributions
Mrs. Simpson Miller has made valuable socio-economic contributions at both the regional and international levels.
Regional Contributions: In her various Cabinet portfolios, she significantly expanded the Overseas Farm Workers Program through the establishment of the Overseas Recruitment Centre for Farm Workers. She also transformed the National Insurance Scheme into a key component of the government's social protection system, providing substantial benefits to pensioners (NLJ, JIS). Other notable achievements include the establishment of the Municipality of Portmore, the creation of a Labour Chair in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, and her pivotal role in developing Jamaica’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development (JIS).
International Contributions: Mrs. Simpson Miller has a distinguished record of service at the global level. The Public Administrator is a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, which is an international network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilise on women’s issues. In this capacity, she also held several key leadership roles serving as Vice President of the Organisation of American States’ High-level Inter-American Network on Decentralisation, Local Government and Citizen Participation; Chairperson of the Caribbean Forum of Ministers responsible for decentralisation, local government, community development and citizen participation, and board member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
Additionally, she has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL), an international training centre for government officials based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2011, she was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). She also served as Chair of the CARICOM Committee on External Trade (JIS).
Other Noteworthy Achievements
In recognition of her dedication to public service and the advancement of women, Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller has received numerous local and international awards. For her outstanding commitment to promoting female athletes and administrators in Jamaican sports, she was awarded the International Olympic Committee’s World Women and Sport Trophy in March 2007.
In acknowledgement of her dedication and commitment to urban renewal and community development, she received the Distinguished Award from the Mayor of the City of Miami in 2009. Moreover, she was presented with the Bureau of Women’s Affairs Award for her significant contribution to the advancement of women’s affairs in Jamaica.
