Louise Bennett-Coverley was born 104 years ago today, and she went on to lead an inspiring and generation defining life.
Affectionately known as Miss Lou, she leveraged her sense of humour and social commentary through her poetry.
She was a trailblazer in the industry and raised awareness on social issues through her work, all while receiving accolades for it.
For her art, she became famous in Jamaica during her life and now she is being introduced to the rest of the world through the latest Google Doodle.
The Google illustration you can see on the web page was drawn by artist Robyn Smith.
Who is Louise Bennett Coverley?
Louise Bennett Coverley was born on September 7, 1919 and died in 2006 at the age of 86.
She was welcomed into the world on North Street in Kingston, Jamaica and was the only child of Augustus Cornelius Bennett, a bakery owner, and Kerene Robinson, a dressmaker.
Her father passed away in 1926, leaving her to be raised primarily by her mother before enrolling at St. Simon's College and Excelsior College, in Kingston.
In 1943, she later continued her studies at Friends College in Highgate, where she studied folklore for the first time.
It was this year when she published her work of poetry, which helped her enrol in London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Louise was the first black student to study there.
What was Louise Bennett Coverley’s career?
Not only did Louise excel in poetry, but she always worked in radio in 1945 and 1950, Caribbean Carnival and West Indian Night, both for the BBC.
She later taught folklore and drama at the University of the West Indies, along with working for the Jamaican Social Welfare Commission from 1955 to 1959.
Louise also worked in TV and one of her longest running shows was the children’s programme Ring Ding, which aired from 1970 to 1982.
In 1998, the Jamaican government appointed Louise as the Cultural Ambassador for the nation.
Queen Elizabeth II also inducted her into the Order of Merit, cementing her life’s achievements.
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