This is the 25th in our daily series highlighting 55 Jamaicans who broke down barriers and helped put the country on the world stage. Each day, one personality will be featured, culminating Independence Day, August 6.

Before the names Tami Williams, Kai Newman, Nadine Willis, Jeneil Williams and Alicia Burke, Jamaica’s first fashion model to create waves on the international scene was Althea Laing.

The imposing Laing, with her undeniably strong ethnic features, first caught the eye of the Jamaican public and came into the country’s consciousness back in 1985 when she challenged stereotypes by winning the Miss Jamaica Fashion Model title organised by Pulse.

When she won, she was considered by many as being too old and having a slim chance of making it in the then limited modelling opportunities available locally; and an even slimmer opportunity to have a crack at the world of modelling in the fashion capitals of the world. But she was not deterred.

“When I won the contest I was 29 and everyone one said that I was too old, but I was determined to get more out of this thing, and it came with my Essence cover. I heard a team from Essence was in Jamaica and I positioned myself at the hotel in which they were staying and introduced myself. They were impressed and we maintained contact. When they wanted a real chocolate girl for the cover; I flew to New York and did the shoot. I can’t explain the awesome feeling to stand in Manhattan and see my face on newsstands. This would create other opportunities, including a second Essence cover,” she told the Jamaica Observer in an interview.

“At the time, it was difficult to market me as a strong African-Caribbean woman… I was before my time. But I am happy, I was able to blaze a trail for these little, dark-skinned girls to follow. Because of me, these girls can now aspire to be on the cover of a magazine,” she added.

After the high of her Essence covers, Laing returned to the classroom spending well over a decade teaching English Language and literature. She recently turned 60 and has retired. She presently offer consultancy services in grooming as well as coaches students in language and literature.