Dr. Una Clarke – a phenomenal woman
By Nelson A. King
As members of the Brooklynbased
Progressive Democratic
Political Association (PDPA) in
January 2015 celebrated the
80th birthday of the trail-blazing,
former New York City Councilwoman
Dr. Una S. T. Clarke,
then Jamaica’s Prime Minister
Portia Simpson Miller described
her as “phenomenal.”
In her glowing tribute – read
by PDPA member Rose Graham,
at the gala banquet at Tropical
Paradise Ballroom on Utica
Avenue in Brooklyn — Simpson
Miller called her compatriot,
who is also PDPA founder and
president, a “blessed woman.”
“And I am proud to call you
my friend,” the Jamaican leader
said. “During your lifetime, you
have blazed illustrious professional
paths, including achieving
the distinction of being the
first Caribbean-born woman to
be elected to the New York City
Legislature.
“The tremendous contributions
that you have made, as
Councilwoman, to education,
children’s welfare, health, mental
health and economic development,
Right in the Heart of the Bronx
Brilla Public Charter Schools
Caribbean L 18 ife, FEB. 26-MAR. 4, 2021
among other areas, are
simply outstanding,” Simpson
Miller added.
Noting that Clarke has been
driven by her passion to see
people excel in academics, the
former Jamaican prime minister
said Dr. Clarke “worked tirelessly
to secure significant resources to
upgrade” the schools in her 40th
Council District in Brooklyn.
“And, for this, I salute you,”
said Simpson Miller, adding
that, through Clarke’s “determined
efforts,” she was also
able to expand services for the
elderly, rebuild parks and playgrounds,
and enhance the quality
of childcare programs.
“Because of your hard work
and commitment, several communities
in New York, as well
as in Jamaica, have been made a
better place,” the ex-prime minister
said.
“You have not only lived a
long life; your warmth and caring
disposition as an exemplary
matriarch — wife, mother,
grandmother — are also worthy
of emulation,” she continued. “I,
therefore, commend your family
and PDPA for organizing this
memorable celebratory event to
show their affection to you and
to reflect on your stellar achievements.”
Guyanese-born Hugh Hamilton,
a former Clarke legislative
aide, noted that his former boss
has been “variously described
as the ‘Queen Mother’ and ‘the
Doyenne’ of our Caribbean
American community.”
Hamilton, whose tribute was
read by PDPA Secretary Joyce
Henry, also described Clarke
as “a trailblazing and visionary
activist and political maverick
who proudly embodies the revolutionary
spirit of her Maroon
heritage.”
He said Clarke is a “modernday
prophet to her people,” adding
that that was only the proverbial
tip of the iceberg.
Hamilton said Clarke, who
was born in the rural parish of
St. Elizabeth in Jamaica, from
her earliest days, was a “neighborhood
organizer and social
justice activist, professional educator
and advocate.”
He said, through her historic
election to New York City Council
and beyond, the indefatigable
Clarke has been “a woman on a
mission — an unrelenting mission
for the empowerment of
her people: the working poor;
the disenfranchised; our historically
marginalized communities
of color; and every successive
generation of New Americans
whose tireless efforts give new
hope and meaning to the enduring
American promise of ‘life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’”
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (left) pays tribute to
her mother, the trail blazing, former New York City Councilmember
Una S.T. Clarke, in January 2015. Photo by Nelson A.
King
Black History Month
Apply now for Grades K-8
• Students at Brilla outperform students in NYC
• Brilla partners with families and caregivers
• Brilla believes in character development
Brilla College Prep, 413 E 144th St
Brilla Veritas, 600 E 156th St
Brilla Caritas & Brilla Pax 2336 Andrews Ave
For more information call (929) 422-0128 • email: apply@brillaschools.org
or visit our website: www.brillaschools.org/apply-to-brilla
/apply-to-brilla
/apply-to-brilla
link
link
