Top household worker to get GraceKennedy/Heather Little-White Award
GRACEKENNEDY this week launched the GraceKennedy/Heather Little-White Household Worker Award at its downtown Kingston headquarters.
The company’s group CEO Don Wehby described the award as an opportunity to recognise and reward some of Jamaica’s finest workers, and as another indication of GraceKennedy’s efforts to do what is good for Jamaica.
“Today, we honour some of Jamaica’s finest people who have a profound impact on the lives of thousands of Jamaican families,” said Wehby. The company, he added, saw it appropriate to add Dr Little-White’s name to the award because of the contribution she had made to GraceKennedy, and the dedicated work she had done in the training of household workers. “This was really an area for which she had great passion. She trained many people and changed many lives and we want to honour her for that,” he said.
Shirley Pryce, president of the Jamaica Household Workers Union, expressed her sincere appreciation for the GraceKennedy initiative.
“These are very hard-working people who very often don’t get the recognition and respect they deserve. I am really happy to know that GraceKennedy sees the value of their work and has chosen to reward them in this way,” said Pryce, under whose leadership, the organisation, launched in 1991 as the Jamaica Household Workers Association with 175 members, has now grown to 3,800 members.
Lennie Little-White, executive chairman of MEDIAMIX and brother of Dr Little-White, spoke of his sister’s commitment and passion when it came to the training of household workers. “She gave them the skills and the confidence to change their lives. This is truly a fitting way to honour her memory,” he said.
GraceKennedy is asking for the public to nominate their household workers and, in no more than 200 words, say why they should be the winner of this award.
Nominations will be viewed by a panel of judges comprising representatives from GraceKennedy, PROComm and the Jamaica Household Workers Union. The top 10 nominees will be selected and interviewed, with the top three chosen. The winner will receive the GraceKennedy Household Worker of the Year Award as well as $250,000. Second and third place winners will receive trophies, and $150,000 and $100,000, respectively. The winner will also select a secondary school student, who will receive an education grant for funding for a year at high school.
