THE People’s National Party (PNP) celebrated former leader Portia Simpson Miller’s 79th birthday on Thursday, highlighting her impact on education and youth empowerment.

As part of the celebrations, seven students were awarded scholarships honouring her legacy of fostering opportunities for young Jamaicans.

The legacy project, which is in its third year, saw the seven university students receiving Portia Simpson Miller scholarships valued at $100,000 each, providing them with financial assistance as they continue their pursuit for higher education.

Simpson Miller has been ailing for some time.

“Education is a vaccine against poverty,” declared PNP General Secretary Dayton Campbell during the event held at the party’s headquarters, emphasising its critical role education plays in uplifting individuals born into challenging circumstances.

He encouraged the scholarship recipients to seize this opportunity to transform their lives and contribute to Jamaica’s development.

“For most of us who come from humble beginnings and most of us who the system is set against from birth, we are born into circumstances that makes it a little bit more difficult for us to reach there than for others. Education becomes that liberating tool, that thing that can change the outcome of persons,” he said.

He also urged the scholarship recipients to capitalise on the opportunity and use it not only for personal success but to contribute to the country’s development.

“With what you receive here you have to ensure that you also make a contribution so that the next generation that is coming can benefit from a similar opportunity that you got,” he said.

“I was brought into the politics at 28 when I became a Member of Parliament and that was under the stewardship of Portia Simpson Miller, and when I came there and I looked around, I wasn’t the only young one that was there. There were several other young persons that were there. So, 2011 when we won the election, there were a slew of professional young people that were brought in and were placed in constituencies that they won,” he recalled.

Campbell praised Simpson Miller’s leadership which he said was rooted in compassion and a genuine care for people, particularly those most in need. He emphasised that her approach to politics consistently prioritised the well-being of the less fortunate, and commended her for always having integrity.

In the meantime, Member of Parliament Anthony Hylton reflected on the significance of Simpson Miller’s legacy and the efforts to ensure it continues to inspire future generations.

He highlighted the importance of the legacy project as a means of honouring Simpson Miller’s values and contributions.

“So much of what she represents is being recognised through her love for children, her love of education, her love of people in general, and of course her love for viewing the future [and] trying to influence the future and all of that is represented here today, in the recipients of today’s scholarships,” he said.

Hylton announced that internal discussions were being held for more work to be done to honour her legacy, noticeably by painting a mural at the Portia Simpson Miller Square.

“There is also a discussion about something appropriate at Portia Simpson Miller Square. We believe it’s important because that symbolises so much of who she was but that space as well, and other spaces in the constituency of St Andrew South West,” said Hylton.

Campbell, who was in agreement with Hylton, expressed his desire for more work to be done to recognise Simpson Miller’s contribution to the country.

“To rise and reach the pinnacle as Jamaica’s first female prime minister speaks to the calibre of the individual and I hope that not just the PNP, but Jamaica as well, will afford her with the respect that she has earned,” said Campbell.