... Bennett hailed as a trailblazer

ENID BENNETT was born in Linstead on May 18, 1931. She started her education at Linstead Primary School and later attended St Helen Commercial School, where she qualified as a stenographer.

She was elected councillor for the Sligoville Division and later member of parliament for Central St Catherine, before moving to represent St Catherine West Central.

She served as minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government between 1980 and 1982, and minister of state in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security between 1982 and 1989. She was awarded the country’s fourth-highest honour, the Order of Jamaica, in 2012.

Bennett is hailed as a trailblazing politician, serving as a member of parliament for 30 continuous years until her retirement in 1997 and setting a record as a female legislator in the House of Representatives.

Throughout her years of service in politics, she aimed to transform the lives of citizens and was instrumental in establishing community centres in Buxton Town and Point Hill, improving the West Central St Catherine road network and bringing electricity to several communities in the constituency.

Bennett died on December 22, 2017, at age 86 after a brief illness.

Bog Walk Junior Secondary first opened its doors on September 14, 1971, to 680 students, 16 teachers, three administrative staff members and seven ancillary workers.

The school’s name has changed over the years to Bog Walk Secondary School, Bog Walk Comprehensive High School and Bog Walk High School.