Tahje Bennett, an outspoken queen

For as long as she can remember, Tahje Bennett has been outspoken. Born and raised in the old capital Spanish Town, St Catherine, Bennett says she was imbued from an early age with the rich sense of history that the community exudes.

Raised primarily by her mother and grandmother, Bennett said she had the perfect role models to teach her how to be a strong woman.

Though she had many passions as a child, slowly but surely, her love for law triumphed above all of her other interests.

“I wanted to be so many things when I was a child,” she began, throwing her head back as if to access the memories. “I wanted to be a nurse, and then I was in the hospital for a few weeks because I had some complications and my mind completely went from that. I was like, ‘This is not for me’. So that was a no-no. I wanted to go into law. I had a passion for law when I was in high school and I still have that passion. I wanted to be a designer. I wanted to be a teacher at one point but I can’t teach. So I wanted to be many things but I really got the desire for law when I was in high school and that has stuck with me.”

Now, as the self-proclaimed foodie pursues her career in law, Bennett says her persevering passion for fashion transformed her into an influencer and turned her into a ‘hotterney’. No doubt aided by her dressmaker grandmother, Bennett said she can trace the origins of this trait of hers to prep school.

“I think [it was] when I was in prep school [that] I discovered that passion [for fashion],” she began. “When I was at church, we would have conventions, and it would be a fashion show. My grandma would always say, ‘A church you a go, anuh fashion show,’ but I would always be so excited to go to church and dress up. And then, because of my background and because I didn’t come from a rich family, I had my one shoes, my all-purpose shoes, and I made it work for every occasion.”

Though always yearning for that luxurious walk-in closet, Bennett’s limited resources placed that dream just out of her reach. Regardless of the limitations of her upbringing, Bennett is proud of the lessons her humble beginnings have taught her.

“A lot of people think that I am from Kingston or upper St Andrew, but I think they would be excited to know that I am really from Spanish Town. I didn’t grow up in any upper-class community, for lack of a better phrase. So I guess me being so relatable, me knowing that there would be people that are able to relate to that, that makes me excited”

Bennett had always gravitated to being a voice for the voiceless. Building on this early on, she became the student council representative for her class in high school and later served on the executive body of her school. Though she refers to herself as goofy and girly, when it comes to women’s rights, Bennett is all business.

“I want to leave an impact by impacting the judicial system by bringing about some change and judicial reform by using my platform, especially for women and young girls, particularly those affected by gender-based violence. I do hope to be that role model for many young women and young girls to come out and share their story and inspire others. I want it to be a domino effect where I empower somebody and they can empower somebody else.”

She continued, “In terms of just wanting to be that role model, wanting to be that representative, I’ve always said this growing up. I didn’t feel like I had that representative, especially with my story. So I wanted to be that representative for young girls and women.”

She said, since coronation night, she has been bombarded with messages from women from all walks of life saying they are inspired by her. Bennett hopes to build on that momentum through her Fix Your Crown initiative.

Though the date and location have yet to be announced for the upcoming 72nd Miss World pageant, Bennett says her only goal is to build on the legacy Jamaica has made for itself.

With a subtle smile, she said, “I want to bring home the fifth crown. I want to be a part of that legacy. I want to be able to bring that Jamaican culture to the world, our creole, our food. I think one of the things that will set me apart is how we speak. So I hope I can teach some of the girls a likkle Patois and make them say ‘Wah gwaan, Jamaica?’. We’ve already made our mark in the world, so it’s just for me to go out and represent that legacy.”

shanel.lemmie@gleanerjm.com