Rosetta Steer takes the Prize
Published:Monday | June 1, 2015 | 10:54 AMKeisha Hill
Rosetta Steer is the 2015 winner of the GraceKennedy Heather Little-White Household Worker of the Year Award. She won the award from a field of 120 nominees from across Jamaica. Second place went to Jasmin Miller, while Charmaine Smith placed third.
Started last year to recognise and reward Jamaica?s household workers, it is presented in the name of the late Dr Little-White for her years of service at GraceKennedy and dedication to training household workers in the improvement of their skills and lives.
In accepting the award, Steer said she is happy that her hard work over the years has been recognised. ?I realise that hard work really pays. I am honestly thrilled. If my work makes other people?s life better then I feel my work is a success,? she said.
The judging panel, comprising Dr Glenda Simms, PROComm?s Dorrett Linton, GraceKennedy?s Maize Miller, Frances Madden, Anthony Lawrence and the Jamaica Household Workers? Union?s Nicola Lawson were tasked to choose a top 10, but were so impressed with the finalists that 11 were chosen. According to Simms, they were impressed with the confidence and professionalism of the finalists, noting that, ?it was difficult to choose a winner?.
Don Wehby, Group CEO of GraceKennedy in his remarks said household workers are unsung heroes that are often forgotten despite their hard work. ?They deserve the honour and recognition that they are getting,? Wehby said.
?Too often, we forget to show this special hardworking group of Jamaicans that we are grateful to them for what they do for us and GraceKennedy is happy to be able to bring them the recognition they deserve and reward them for their hard work,? he added.
Special mention awards
Special mention awards went to Thelma Watkin, Beatrice Sewell, Rose-Marie Clarke and Marvet Rattigan. They were singled out for recognition because their nominations came from children whose lives they had impacted.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in her keynote address lauded the work of household workers and urged Jamaicans to show them the respect and honour they deserve.
?I recognise household workers as a special group in our society. They are vital to the process of nation building. They provide necessary support in households allowing their employers to carry out their various activities ... it is this group of workers who keep most families going,? Simpson Miller said.
This year?s winners received cash awards and other prizes from GraceKennedy subsidiaries including Hi-Lo Food Stores and First Global Bank. Steer won $250,000 from GraceKennedy, an account with $25,000 from First Global Bank and a $30,000 gift voucher from Hi-Lo Food Stores. She will choose a secondary school student, whose educational expenses GraceKennedy will fund for a year.
Miller won $150,000 from GraceKennedy, an account with $25,000 from First Global Bank and a $20,000 gift voucher from Hi-Lo Food stores while Smith won $100,000, an account with $25,000, and a $10,000 gift voucher.