On December 12, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Governor General Julie Payette appointed four independent senators to fill vacancies in the Senate. Among these Canadian Senate appointees is Jamaicanborn Dr Rosemary Moodie.
Last Wednesday, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie J Peters hosted a reception at her residence to congratulate Moodie on her Senate installation which takes place in Ottawa on February 17. Peters noted that Moodie’s appointment to the Canadian Senate “reaffirms the importance of a diversity of voices in Canada’s parliament as a reflection of our society”. Peters also noted that the “elevation of a Canadian of Jamaican origin to the Parliament of Canada advances that ideal of diversity so important to Canada. It also reaffirms the positive dynamics that immigrants bring to our country”.
Moodie is a physician and neonatologist/newborn intensive care specialist at Canada’s top children’s hospital The Hospital for Sick Children (Sickkids). She’s also an associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Toronto Medical School. A keen philanthropist and advocate, Moodie has worked tirelessly, too, to ensure that vulnerable women and girls are protected and have
safe and dependable housing.
During her 34 years in Canada, she has been bestowed with a number of prestigious accolades. In 2015 the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada awarded Moodie the Prix d’excellence – Specialist of the Year award. In the same year, she was awarded RBC’S Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. In 2014 the city of Toronto awarded Moodie the prestigious Constance E Hamilton Award on the Status of Women, for “securing equitable treatment for women”. And in 2017 the Government of Jamaica conferred her with the Order of Distinction (Commander Class).
In her remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith noted: “Dr Moodie’s ascent to the Senate
of Canada really does offer a platform where she can make an even greater impact on the Canadian society”.
At her core Moodie is a nurturing force, and improving the lives of women and girls is at the fore. During her three-year tenure as president and board chair of YWCA Toronto, the Elm Centre — Toronto’s largest affordable housing project for low-income women — was completed.
The Elm Centre is a three-tower high-rise apartment complex that contains “250 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable units for single women and women with children”. One hundred of the units are reserved for women with mental health and addiction issues who are assisted by medical staff. There are also 50 units for women of Aboriginal (Indigenous Canadian) ancestry.
Here in Jamaica, Moodie sits on the PSOJ’S Gender and Minority Commission, advocates for equity and safety for the island’s vulnerable women and girls and serves on the board of the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation. Together her humility, brilliant mind and philanthropic spirit make her a shining daughter of Jamaica.
Last Wednesday’s event was, as Johnson Smith noted, an opportunity to “celebrate Jamaica and Canada’s partnership, to celebrate sisterhood and to celebrate the Senate”. Style Observer (SO) brings highlights.
From left: Honorary Counsel, Royal Thai Consulate Thalia Lyn; president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica Howard Mitchell; consultant engineer Peter Jervis; and retired Air Jamaica pilot Captain Michael Lyn
(Photos: Garfield Robinson)
Jamaican-canadians Dr Rosemary Moodie, who will ascend to the Canadian Senate on February 17, and her physician husband Dr Peter Wong
Having delivered a touching toast, Gloria Moodie (right) received a kiss from her daughter Dr Rosemary Moodie.
Former prime minister of Jamaica PJ Patterson (right) and guest-ofhonour Dr Rosemary Moodie (second right) shared the frame with president of the Jamaican Senate Tom Tavares-finson and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith.
Chairman and CEO of ICWI Group Limited Dennis Lalor (left) and celebrated Jamaican poet and scholar Professor Edward Baugh, too, turned out to celebrate Dr Rosemary Moodie.
Dr Rosemary Moodie (left) enjoyed a joke with long-time friend Dr Carolyn Gomes, with whom she attended St Hugh’s High School.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ambassador Marcia Gilbert-roberts (right) and her daughter Terri-ann Gilbert-roberts, senior advisor - political affairs, High Commission of Canada in Jamaica
Soon-to-be-installed Canadian Senator Dr Rosemary Moodie (front, second right) shares the frame with mom Gloria (front, second left), sisters Andrea Chin-see (front left) and Margaret Jervis (front right) and family members (from, back left) brother-in-law WK Chin-see, son Nicholas Wong, husband Dr Peter Wong, future daughter-in-law Anna Easty, son Dr Jonathan Wong and brother-in-law Peter Jervis.
Dr Rosemary Moodie (centre) was pleased to have her niece September Marley (left) and grand-niece Manna Marley in attendance at her celebratory reception.
Authority on the work of Derek Walcott, poet and scholar Professor Edward Baugh and his wife Sheila
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie J Peters (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith (right) celebrated neonatologist Dr Rosemary Moodie’s ascent to the Canadian Senate with a toast.
Toronto-based newborn intensive care specialist Dr Rosemary Moodie and local physician Dr Richard Gomes
Shorna-kay Richards, director of bilateral relations, Ministry of Finance, and High Commission of Canada in Jamaica political counsellor Kevin Gilhooly.
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie J Peters and Dr Gloria Moodie’s electrical engineer cousin Ron King
(Photos: Garfield Robinson)
Celebrating Dr Gloria Moodie’s (second left) imminent installation into the Canadian Senate were(from left) her husband Dr Peter Wong; head of surgery at the University Hospital of the West Indies Professor Joseph Plummer; mom Gloria Moodie; sister Andrea Chin-see; and University Hospital of the West Indies medical chief of staff Dr Carl Bruce.
Jamaican Senator Aubyn Hill (centre) introduced Toronto-based physician and husband of Dr Gloria Moodie Dr Peter Wong (left) to the president of the Jamaican Senate Tom Tavares-finson.
Toronto-based friends of Dr Rosemary Moodie Fred and Georgie Kennedy
Dr Gloria Moodie (second right) and husband Dr Peter Wong (second left) shared a moment with Cabinet Secretary Douglas Saunders and his attorney-at-law wife Angela Robertson.
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie J Peters (left) welcomed the president of the Jamaican Senate Tom Tavaresfinson and his wife Rose to her residence.
Nephew of Dr Rosemary Moodie and hydro-informatics engineer Graham Jervis and his National Commercial Bank business development manager wife Nadia.
Restaurants of Jamaica chairman Lorna Myers looked resplendent in Roberto Cavalli at Wednesday’s reception.
Orthodontist Dr Jeffrey Meeks and his Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions attorney-atlaw fiancée Kelly Hamilton