About
My name is Dr. Tina Carroll-Scott and as a board certified pediatrician of Jamaican descent who has lived and practiced in Florida for over 25 years, this 60th anniversary is very personal for me. Although I wasn’t born in Jamaica, the culture was a very big part of my upbringing on my mom’s side of the family. Both my parents believed in education and made sure to provide every opportunity for me to excel at the highest level. I could not have attended Princeton University, or completed medical school and residency, without the strong foundation I had growing up.
My Jamaican mother “Cherry” who attended Alpha Academy in Kingston, was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia 7 years ago. She lives in my home where I have witnessed her painful cognitive decline. This led me on a quest to connect more fully with my Jamaican roots. In the last 8 months, I have successfully obtained my Jamaican citizenship, passport and medical license.
This event is a fundraiser to help schools in Jamaica that have suffered greatly during the pandemic and to set students up for success and not failure this upcoming school year. It is also my desire to showcase the richness of our Jamaican culture in all its magnificence with the 60th anniversary of independence. I encourage everyone to generously support this worthy cause by registering to gallop or trot! You can support the cause, even if you don’t attend the event, with your registration. Help your alma mater, or someone else’s, get to the 60 entries to qualify for funding.
This is an inaugural event that I hope will lead to an annual event to support multiple causes in Jamaica. Jamaica is consistently one of the top tourist destinations yearly even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The needs of the island are great, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, housing, etc… Let’s help to improve the lives of every day Jamaicans and celebrate all that this island nation has to offer!
THE BIRTH OF OF A NATION
In February 1962, a new Constitution was approved by the Legislature and the Premier Norman Manley called General Elections.
Alexander Bustamante was elected in April and became the first Prime Minister of Jamaica. On August 6, 1962, Jamaica became an Independent Nation and a member of the British Commonwealth.
Jamaica becoming an Independent Nation, now meant that Britain, no longer controlled the affairs of the country. It was now the responsibility of the newly elected Prime Minister and the locally elected Cabinet.
Independence also meant that a Constitution, symbols, emblems, an army, Jamaican currency and passports had to be developed for the country.
As an Independent Nation, Jamaica assigns Ambassadors overseas who represent the country. They sign treaties on behalf of Jamaica and become members of various international organisations. This is important, as it gives Jamaica equal rights on various issues relating to international trade, policies and treaties.
Every year on August 6, (previously first Monday in August), Jamaicans celebrate the removal of our dependence on Britain, to control specific functions of the country. At this time we also honour all those persons who were responsible for the transfer of power.
In October, during National Heritage Week (third Monday in October), we also honour our six National Heroes and one Heroine, in recognition of their contribution to the birth of our nation.