The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport celebrated the 111th anniversary of the birth of noted Jamaican ‘heroine’ of the labour movement Agnes ‘Aggie’ Bernard with a wreath laying exercise at her tomb at the National Heroes Park yesterday.

Minister of State within the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon Alando Terrelonge, who was joined by the Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Marjorie Leyden-Kirton, laid a floral arrangement on Bernard’s tomb in celebration of her life and her contribution to the Jamaican political landscape.

Born on March 24, 1910, Agnes ‘Aggie’ Bernard was one of the foremost pioneering female activists in Jamaica’s labour movement. During the 1938 labour riots, which is known as a pivotal point in Jamaica’s political development, Miss Bernard went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the sustainability of the riots.

Miss Bernard, who was then a laundress that provided services for the ships which docked at the Kingston waterfront, committed her entire though meagre savings of 5 shillings and 6 pence to purchase food and provide refreshments for approximately 200 men during the two week strike in Kingston.

As a tremendous reflection of self-sacrifice, Miss Bernard maintained unwavering commitment to the mission of the labour riots, though risking the stability of her laundry business. As a result of her support, the dock workers were not only able to secure a wage increase, but their action also encouraged strikes elsewhere.

Agnes Bernard continued to live a phenomenal life advocating for the rights of the Jamaican people, and in 1976 she was awarded the Order of Distinction from the government of Jamaica for her outstanding services to the trade union movement. In 1979 she was honoured with a special Certificate of Merit from the Inter-American Commission of Women, for her work toward the development of women in Jamaica. Miss Bernard died one year later on October 7, 1980.