Miss Jamaica UK for Every Woman Inspired
HER personal motto is to work harder, dream bigger and be better, and as the reigning Miss Jamaica UK, that’s the message 22-year-old Gemma Feare plans to share with women from all walks of life who will be gathering for the Every Woman Inspired conference scheduled for November 22-24 at the Alhambra Inn in St Andrew.
Feare was born in the UK, but she has practically grabbed at every opportunity to connect with her Jamaican roots. Her father is from Westmoreland and so the beauty queen has made a number of impromptu visits to the island over the years to learn more about the culture and to connect with the people. For this year alone, she has made four trips and plans to come again before the year is out.
“I would like to make a mark here as well, and inspire other people to do the same thing and create their own opportunities,” she told All Woman during a recent interview.
She feels the upcoming conference presents a great opportunity to share her story and to empower women to achieve their dreams. But then, too, there is the advantage of being placed in the same room with influential women who also have their own struggles and stories to share.
“I think we can go much further if we network, if we talk, if we help open the doors for each other,” she said. “There are a lot of conscious people out there, so the event is about bringing together like-minded people.”
Feare feels it’s a part of her responsibility to help mentor young people in the country and has already sought to do so through tours of places such as the Mustard Seed Communities, the Women’s Crisis Centre, as well as several inner-city schools and government entities. These tours have basically been an extension of the work she has been doing in the UK where she has reached out to teenage girls through mentorship programmes such as Inspirational YOU and Believe UK.
“I guess the value in mentoring comes when you can share stories and experiences, that’s what it is about,” she explained.
Feare is already anticipating hearing about the experiences of the other speakers for the event and learning of their triumphs and struggles. These lessons, she finds, are invaluable.
“I would love it if people could just listen to others, particularly women, influential women, and instead of learning the hard way, just learn from people’s mistakes. You don’t need to make those mistakes for yourself,” she reasoned.
But apart from just talking, she pointed out that the conference will be a fun experience for women as well, especially because Jencare Skin Farm will be on hand to provide personal care treatment to those in attendance through their recently launched mobile outfit. As far as she is concerned, it would be remiss of anyone to come to the island and not have fun, because she feels there is so much the country has to offer for thrill-seekers such as herself.
“I love to go down to Hellshire and have some fried fish and some bammy or festival and just kick back and listen to the sea coming in and talk to a few locals and have coconut,” she beamed. “Fresh coconut, that’s me — and everyone knows that ackee and saltfish is my favourite dish because I tell everyone.”
Although she has travelled widely, she just cannot get enough of the island, which explains why she is here so often despite her busy schedule. In 2011, Feare became an actor and member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and has gone on several tours as a result. Recently, she has been focusing on her media career which has seen her hosting several shows in the UK.
“I am based in the UK, so every time I come over, I get a new chance to fall in love with it (Jamaica). It’s like when you live here, the novelty for some wears off, but it’s like I still dream about Jamaica when I am not here,” she said.
Feare was crowned Miss Jamaica UK in 2012. That was the same year she graduated from the University of Westminister with a first-class honours degree in business management with commercial law. She is looking forward to pursuing her master’s degree soon.
