Sarah Newland-Martin, the face of the Jamaican Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) died Wednesday morning from complications related to a recent surgery, a spokesman for the family said. She was 75.

Thirty-six years ago, Sarah Newland, a severely disabled woman, became the associate general secretary and a mere two years later, the first woman general secretary, of the Kingston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) which marks its 102nd anniversary this month.

Sarah Newland, now Newland-Martin, in those 36 years became the face of the YMCA, a household name and responsible for the molding of countless young men, while imparting swimming skills for countless more.

The longest serving general secretary of the Kingston YMCA, which plays a coordinating role at Boys’ Town, she was also the national general secretary, which covers the YMCAs in Jamaica, and the best known Jamaican associated with the global organisation.

Her passing brings to a close an extraordinary story of grit and determination and success against overwhelming odds, for which she was awarded the Officer of the Order of Distinction (OD) by the Government of Jamaica.