Ode to Portia

Pamela Redwood has worked closely with Portia for more than 30 years.

Following the disclosure by Simpson Miller’s husband that his wife is suffering from dementia, Redwood paid the following tribute in poetry.

Ode to Portia

Portia, daughter of the soil,

born of struggle, raised in faith,

you walked the narrow lanes of Wood Hall

and carried the voices of the humble

into the chambers of power.

With fire in your spirit and

compassion in your hand,

you lifted the banner of the people –

the poor, the voiceless, the women long denied –

and gave them place, gave them dignity,

gave them hope.

History remembers not only your words,

but the courage with which you spoke them.

In a world that doubted,

you dared to lead.

In a space that sought to silence,

you thundered with truth.

Mother of democracy,

keeper of social justice,

your legacy is not written in marble,

but in the lives of children sent to school,

the sick given care,

the workers standing tall.

Portia,

you are not gone from the struggle;

your name is etched into its very heart.

A comrade.

A trailblazer.

A woman of the people.

May generations rise and call you blessed,

for you showed them that power,

when guided by love,

can indeed serve the people.

Redwood served special assistant to Simpson Miller at the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Sports, and the Ministry of Local Government. She continued with her at the Office of the Prime Minister during her tenure as prime minister, and also at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.