Maybe it's their hectic campaign schedules that have got them going but numerous attempts to reach Joan Gordon-Webley, Sharon Hay-Webster and Sally Porteous were unsuccessful. However, here is some information about them.
Joan Gordon-Webley
Joan Gordon-Webley
Joan Gordon Webley, a 56-year-old mother of two, is the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate for St. Andrew South East.
Her professional achievements are numerous. She is managing director of the Jamaica Protective Services, executive director of the Caribbean Democratic Union, lecturer at YMCA of America, advisor on women's and youth affairs to the Government of Grenada co-founder and general Manager of Inter-Caribbean Guidance and Placement Centre.
Now widowed, Mrs. Gordon-Webley will represent the party in South East St. Andrew come election. She was a Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew for nine years and a Senator in the Upper House of Parliament.
Sally Porteous
Sally Porteous
Sally Porteous is the JLP candidate for Manchester Central.
Ms. Porteous is the deputy mayor of Mandeville. She has worked as a councillor for the Mandeville division in Central Manchester and as the general secretary of the National Organisation of Women, an affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party.
She enjoys writing, photography, tennis and swimming, as well as spending time with her only child Andrew.
She attended Manchester, Hampton and Clarendon High schools, and St. Godric's College London, England. Ms. Porteous has a degree in hotel management, business administration and public relations. She has worked in many capacities including as a stewardess with British Airways, chief stewardess with Air Jamaica, film commissioner and production manager with JAMPRO.
Sharon Hay-Webster
Sharon Hay-Webster
Sharon Hay-Webster, of the People's National Party is the Member of Parliament for St. Catherine South Central. She was a communication consultant before entering politics. She is married and will turn 46 in September.
Hon. Portia Simpson Miller
Portia Simpson-Miller
Prime Minister and president of the People's National Party, Portia Simpson Miller, has created history on the political landscape of Jamaica.
The PNP candidate for South Western St. Andrew, Mrs. Simpson Miller rose from humble beginnings in Wood Hall, St. Catherine. This may have contributed to her personality. She received her early education from the Marlie Hill Primary School in Manchester and St. Martin High School for Girls. She also holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Union Institute and University in Florida.
Born on December 12, 1945, Mrs. Simpson Miller has a sassy personality and is always exquisitely dressed.
She is married to businessman Errald Miller. They have no children.
Joyce Young
Joyce Young
Joyce Young isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate who will be running for the St. Andrew Western seat in the upcoming election loves gardening and her orchids are top of the list.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of them. I just learned how to get them to bloom," said Joyce Young.
The 58-year-old is a retired life- insurance executive, who moved up through the ranks from sales representation and unit manager.
She attended St. Catherine Primary and High. With a diploma in medical records from the College of Art, Science and Technology, she worked in administration at the University of the West Indies Hospital.
Her four sons have given her nine grandchildren to be proud of.
The soulful style of rhythm and blues singer Ben E. King is her favourite. "I have all his albums," she said.
Ms. Young grew up in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. She now lives in Cherry Gardens.
Her people skills have been refined by her experience in the life- insurance industry.
Lisa Hanna
Lisa Hanna
Lisa Hanna grew up in Retreat, St. Mary, to parents Rene and Dorothy Hanna.
A former head girl of the Queen's High School, she has done stints as a television co-host. She was one of the youngest United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors ever to be appointed by the United Nations Development Programme in Jamaica.
In 1993, she won the coveted Miss World title. She holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in communications from the University of the West Indies. On campus, Ms. Hanna actively participated in many extra-curricular activities.
She has taught women in the skills-training programmes in Jones Town, Kingston, and worked in project management, media, marketing and public relations both locally and internationally.
The budding politician has done community service geared towards the development of children in the Arnett Gardens and Denham Town areas of Kingston.
Ms. Hanna's travels have taken her around the world and she
aspires to one day use the wealth of experience gained from her years of local and international exposure to make a significant contribution to increase the quality of life of her fellow Jamaicans.
Currently, she works as a communications consultant. She is divorced and has a son.
Rosemarie Shaw
Shaw
Ms. Rosemarie Shaw is the PNP's candidate for West St. Thomas. She is a humanitarian who dedicated her life to public service.
Ms. Shaw was born in Morant Bay, St. Thomas, to parents Ivy and Arnold Shaw on March 23, 1959. She attended the Morant Bay Primary and Morant Bay High schools then the University of the West Indies, where she studied social work.
She worked at the Social Development Commission in St. Thomas as a community officer and National Youth Service officer. She later transferred to Kingston where she served as executive officer. She has also been a councillor in the parish from 1980 to present. She also served as mayor of Morant Bay and is now managing director of Genesis Car Rental. She told Flair that she entered politics because of a burning desire for service to people. "As you can see, I spent most my life doing public service. It makes me happy when I can do things that make a difference in the lives of others.
Dr. Sandra Nesbeth
Dr. Sandra Nesbeth is a medical doctor who just loves politics. The North West St. Catherine candidate for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is humble but also a high achiever.
For her, politics is like social work and she loves to help others. "It gives her a high," she said.
She was born in 1959 to parents Gwennetha and Ridley Peter Nesbeth in St. Catherine. A past student of Holy Childhood High School, she was at the top of her class throughout her five years. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in molecular biology and psychology from Long Island University in United States of America. She did her electives in neurosurgery at at the University of the West Indies medical school.
She is married with three children. She has a strong background in politics dating back to several generations. She has been active in the JLP for 15 years and ran for the party in 1992 and 1997.
Currently, she operates a medical centre and a pharmacy. Outside of politics and medicine, she has a farm where she grows pepper, ginger and ackee.
Phyllis Mitchell
Phyllis mitchell
Of the candidates vying for seats in the upcoming election, Phyllis Mitchell is one of the most experienced.
Contesting the St. Catherine North East seat for the People's National Party (PNP), this will be her fifth campaign. She has served the constituency since first running for office but she started working in the constituency in 1975.
That work was as a school teacher. She was principal of an all-age school from 1975 to 1989.
She won the seat in 1993 but lost to the JLP's Abe Dabdoub by an election court ruling in 2001, after having been declared winner in the 1997 election. She contested the seat once more in 2002 but was unsuccessful once again. Undaunted, she is back for another try.
No wonder then that she was a former state minister in the Education Ministry. Among the other positions she has held is parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Housing. She has also been chairman of the Political Education Commission, chairman of the Guy's Hill division of the constituency, and chairman of North East St. Catherine. She currently serves as adviser to Labour Minister Derrick Kellier.
Away from the political arena, she is an elder at the Seafield United Church, remains a Justice of the Peace for St. Catherine and is chairman of the Pringle Home in nearby St. Mary.
Ms. Mitchell was born in Muirhouse in St. Ann on April 25, 1945, and after attending Muirhouse All-Age and Christiana Secondary School, she successfully completed a course of study at St. Joseph's Teachers' College. Further studies included the University of Reading, where she gained a bachelor's degree; a B.Sc. in sociology (Honours) University of the West Indies and an M.Sc. in sociology from the same institution.
