Quitting not an option for Hyacinth Bennett

Giving up is not an option for Hyacinth Bennett. Nor is backing down from the political hurricane within which she is not only the eye of the storm but the vortex that feeds the clash of winds.

Bennett created history in May of this year by becoming the first woman to lead a political party in Jamaica.

It was supposed to be a moment of triumph, after all the polls have said that the electorate would support a woman prime minister.

Problem was though, it was a job nobody really wanted as the movement’s founding president, Bruce Golding, had resigned after admitting that the National Democratic Movement had failed to translate third party novelty into election votes.

Political punters then said the saga of the NDM was like a movie script with a tragic end which, though predictable, was too irresistible for those who signed on to the dream.

Golding’s departure seemed then like a eulogy for the NDM which had been able to woo several powerful names in politics and commerce.

To make matters worst, only one person submitted a application for the job – a worrying sign in any vibrant political party.

Bennett said then at a low-keyed conference, which saw her winning votes, that she was committed to bringing the movement forward.

That was months ago and since then, there has been several publicised feuds and disagreements and resignations. For her though nothing has changed.

Even now, the latest brewing controversy, which is threatening to be the last gust of wind for the battered lighthouse has left her ‘virtually unshaken’.

“While I admit that hiccups are a natural occurrence in any organisation, political or otherwise, what is taking place in the NDM warrants more than simply suggesting that ‘this too will pass’. In fact this calls for the deepening of my resolve to remain focused. I remain unwavering and committed to the mission…

“Among the challenges which I face and appropriate to myself, is the fact that it’s not the critics who count or whether the doer of the deeds could have done them better in fact, the credit belongs to the one who remains in the arena,” Bennett told All Woman in a recent interview.

Perhaps, unable to straddle the line between gentility and firmness, Bennett has often been criticised as being aggressive and overly emotional, especially in an arena dominated by men.

“Admittedly, the political arena is no doubt awash with testosterone…however, I fully understand that my own place in the political arena – while this has been a ‘seismic shift is not about replacing one-upmanship with one-up-womanship, it certainly is not about gender revenge rather it is about a serious quest for partnerships between men and women in an effort to design solutions to the plethora of problems that beset us,” she said emphasizing that she does not intend to participate in game playing which in her view is “cheap, manipulative and simply shortcuts to fame and popularity.”

Facing her mountain of problems, Bennett firmly believes she has what it takes to hold the centre together.

“What more really do we need than an unwavering commitment and determination to build a new Jamaica… the centre cannot be kept together by personality politics. I had the ‘daring’ to take over from the past leader and I intend to continue to use this opportunity to enlarge nurture and utilise the partnerships that exists within the party to realise a new vision for the country”, she stated emphatically.

But Bennett’s problems do not begin or end at the political roundtable. For many she does not fit the profile of the ‘flashy’ leader. She embraces her African ancestry and often dresses in colourful gowns which many believe do not befit the image of a states woman.

In addition, she is a devout Christian who is unafraid to bring Christian values into issues of national leadership.

“I have come under intense criticism for declaring my status in Christ, a few persons are uncomfortable when I speak publicly about my Lord. According to some, I have become preachy”, said Bennett who is a foundation member of the Havenhill Baptist Church.

Her resolve, she admits is due to the strong conviction that her ascendancy to the presidency was part of God’s plan. She is of the view that God is seeking a born-again, god-fearing believer to lead Jamaica out of its pit of problems.

“Jamaica’s problems – persistent poverty, crime, violence, political tribalism and garrison politics, illiteracy, bloodletting, murder, mayhem, confusion and chaos -cannot and will not be solved by legal, economic and political means alone. Instead, the menu of solutions at the very top, at the very centre must be spiritual. The presence and power and centrality of place of the Almighty are crucial,” Bennett charged.

Born into a family of Christians, Bennett speaks proudly of her parents, in particular her father Gerald, a pastor and founder of the Chaltenham Baptist Church in St Elizabeth. Both parents were disciplinarians, who lead by example and made a lasting impact on their 10 children.

“One of the most valuable experiences was to have seen my parents talk the talk, but in many ways they walked the talk,” she said.

They taught her determination and the value of compassion. She has served on several fundraising teams to provide scholarships for needy students at Wolmer’s Prep where she was a former principal.

At the Hydel Group of Schools, she still continues to provide scholarships for children from the neighbouring communities of Riverton City, Waterhouse and Ferry.

Losing her husband in 1984, was one of the most difficult periods in her life. Left alone to raise three boys and a girl in the face of severe financial and emotional hardship, was not without benefits, having molded her into a determined, hardworking achiever.

She believes that this determination, and her experience in teaching, will positively influence her political career. After all, there are many similarities between managing a classroom, a home and a nation.

“I’m proud to be associated with both fields. If education and politics are ordered in the interest of the people in their development and in their welfare, then both are to be regarded as noble calling and in fact, God-approved work,” she outlined.

Bennett and her team have tried to reach those they refer to as the ‘disillusioned voters’, encouraging them to take their right to vote seriously and to participate in the general elections, next year.

A major focus of her movement will be public education, but it will be an uphill task, as the group struggles through lack of funding, sorting out internal rifts manifested in the recent resignation of two executive members and fighting public perception, which is affected by the ‘status quo’.

“The NDM is really standing against the status quo,” she explained. “It’s standing against the establishment. Now there are powerful interests in this country who have a vested interest in the nurturing and the retention of the status quo. There are powerful interests in this country who have a deep and abiding interest in gratification – you’re talking about a serious struggle.

“We understand that it’s a long journey, it’s a long process.” Bennett challenged.

Could the journey be cut shorter, and the process speeded up if the two female political leaders join forces? Bennett does not think so.

“There is no doubt that as women (Antoinette and myself), we are unquestionably an indispensable building block in the reconstruction of our society, and women, we must be fully and meaningfully integrated into the mainstream of the country’s development. I also do believe that fundamental and central to any form or measure of collaboration has to be a common set of principles. While in some things essential unity is vital – and in some cases compromise on tactics is understandable – it is unthinkable to compromise on principles,” said Bennett.