‘Children’s Champion’ Blaine hailed for legacy of advocacy, love
Published:Friday | July 26, 2024 | 12:08 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The heartfelt tributes at Betty Ann Blaine’s thanksgiving service on Thursday at Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew revealed the depth of admiration for the woman hailed as “Jamaica’s children’s champion”.
Tributes to Blaine, whose career spanned over three decades, flowed in a powerful mix of musical performances, touching tributes, a moving remembrance, and the eulogy – each underscoring the profound impact of her contributions to the country.
The prominent children’s rights advocate died on May 13 in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States at age 75 and is survived by two daughters, Monifa and Tarika Barrett; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
She was said to have been battling cancer for some time.
“Mom was not much of a follower,” Tarika said as she delivered the eulogy. “She often avoided the path of least resistance. Instead, she was the trailblazer of our family, and her journey was characterised by passion, joy, and unwavering positivity.”
Tarika described her mother as naturally joyful and genuinely affectionate, traits that, along with many others, had an “outsized impact” on the lives of her family and friends.
She said Blaine, who she characterised as “an angel among us”, had a deep affection for her family. She frequently demonstrated this by preparing Jamaican meals for her children and grandchildren and by setting aside her busy schedule to spend quality time with them.
As tears filled her eyes, Monifa said Blaine was an “extraordinary woman and the best example of a mother”.
“Mom, I’m still struggling to find the words to describe this loss, and I honestly don’t know that I ever will. Since your passing, there has literally been a hole in my heart, a void which nothing or no one could ever fill,” she added.
Monifa said the trail blazed by her mother has fuelled her drive for success in her own life.
“You faced your journey with cancer with grace, courage, and resilience, which earned you the title of ‘The Voice for the Voiceless’ as your calls to action galvanised people from all walks of life,” she added.
Blaine, the founder of Hear The Children’s Cry in 2002 and Youth Opportunities Unlimited in 1992 – national groups that gave support to inner-city youth and their families – was born on Chisholm Avenue in St Andrew and was later raised in Harbour View.
A developmental specialist and academic, her work focussed on the underprivileged, mistreated, neglected, and at-risk children, who often came from dysfunctional homes.
She also served as the coordinator for holistic child development at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology.
Her grandson, Kaleb Reid, said he always admired her “strong spirit” and “positive attitude”, which allowed her to “take things in stride and continue to focus on the task at hand”.
“I’m forever grateful to have witnessed it first hand, whether it was relearning to walk after her second bout with cancer or simply asking to play another game after losing to me in kalooki, Grandma always knew how to take the next step forward,” he said.
Reid said Jamaica was Blaine’s greatest pride, and its people “were her pride and joy, the reason why she woke up every day with the goal of helping so many”.
Celta Kirkland, an early board member of Hear the Children’s Cry, praised Blaine’s “dynamic energy” and commended her for making the most of her “God-given quest” to advocate for Jamaican children.
Kirkland said that she was quickly drawn to Blaine’s personality when she met her 25 years ago. This led her to come out of retirement to support Blaine in all her public-service work.
It was impossible to overlook Blaine’s passion, dedication, and tireless advocacy for Jamaican children, Kirkland stated, adding that “Betty Ann literally heard the cries of our children from the moment that she woke until she laid her head to sleep”.
Kirkland said she was astonished to learn of how much of an exceptional scholar Blaine was as she earned honours from Columbia University and taught African history at The University of the West Indies.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, who both missed the service, sent in tributes.
Holness praised Blaine for her “legendary advocacy”, “service” and “stewardship” over three decades, while Golding hailed her as a “beacon of hope” with “unparalleled” dedication to advocacy, education, and service.