GLEANER HONOUR AWARDS - Just two good - Shelly-Ann, Tessanne named Women of the Year

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Two of Jamaica's most celebrated women, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Tessanne Chin, created history yesterday when they were chosen as the 2013 Gleaner Honour Awards Women Of The Year during a gala awards luncheon at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

It was the first time any woman was walking away with the prestigious award.

Fraser-Pryce, the IAAF World Athlete of the Year, had earlier won the Gleaner Honour Award for Sports.

Chin won the sectional award for entertainment, particularly for her role in adding to Jamaica's prestige and exposure on the international stage and commanding the support of the Diaspora on her way to winning American singing competition 'The Voice'.

Humbled by her Woman of the Year award, Chin told The Gleaner the honour meant a lot to her.

"It's just amazing to be awarded next to someone like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who is just a national hero," Chin said.

"It's just absolutely extraordinary to me. I look up to her and her discipline, so I'm just very honoured," she added.

The multi-award-winning Fraser-Pryce said she places the Gleaner Honour Award high on her list of achievements.

"I think this one for me, in Jamaica, is very huge. I mean, it's the people and I was among some of the top females and males in Jamaica who have done so much for our country, and to come out with Tessanne as the Women of the Year is a phenomenal thing. I think God has truly outdone himself, I think, I hope," Fraser-Pryce said.

She noted that Chin and she are fans of each other and that made the experience more enjoyable.

"I think one of the things, for me, that stands out is that she is real, I'm glad I came and I am glad I got this award with Tessanne," Fraser-Pryce said.

Anticipation had risen to fever pitch ahead of the announcement of the winners.

The crowd broke into laughter as Gleaner managing director Christopher Barnes and Gleaner online brand manager Terri-Karelle Reid both repeatedly attempted to announce the winner, each saying a different name.

After a bit of friendly banter and an eventual agreement, Barnes and Reid announced that history had been created as the two equally deserving women had been chosen to share the title of 'Women of the Year'.

Welcomed with a standing ovation, Fraser-Pryce and Chin entered centre stage where they were presented with awards for their excellence in the areas of sports and entertainment, respectively.

Guests were treated to a 'sit down' where Fraser-Pryce and Chin were both interviewed by Barnes, Reid and Press Association of Jamaica Sports Journalist of the Year André Lowe.

The highlight of the interview came when Fraser-Pryce attempted to sing Pink's Try, the song which propelled Chin through the blind auditions in 'The Voice', and was cheered on with applause.

Chin soon joined in but was left to carry on solo as Fraser-Pryce, to the amused guests, quickly admitted, 'I don't know anymore".

Barnes, asking Chin a question he said many persons, including her husband, wanted to know the answer to. Quizzed on whether she and 'a certain person' who coached her were still in contact, Chin's response was swift.

"When we reach home, he will know," she said, igniting laughter throughout the room.

And if two 'Women of the Year' were not enough, guests were treated to Jimmy Cliff's new single One More, which was played for the first time publicly anywhere in the world. The song was introduced by Cliff, who took home this year's Gleaner Honour Award for Arts and Culture, via video link.

The category winners were:

Columbus Communications Limited - Science and Technology; for its role in using technology in transforming Jamaica's cable service and providing sophisticated user-experience.

Sagicor - Business; for its role in facilitating improved foreign-exchange earnings in the hotel sector and creating an investment instrument in which ordinary Jamaicans could participate.

Knutsford Express - Business (Special Award); for its role in initiating a structured, sophisticated coastal bus service which has now expanded to the south coast.

James 'Jimmy Cliff' Chambers - Arts & Culture; for his contribution to the export of Jamaican culture and his exposure and support of local talent.

Javon Francis - Sports (Special Award); for his outstanding achievement following his role in winning a silver medal for Jamaica in mile relay.

Dr Fenton Ferguson - Health and Wellness; for his decisive implementation of smoking ban.

Crayons Count - Education; for its role in providing learning resources to early childhood institutions across Jamaica.

Dr Peter Phillips and the Economic Programme Oversight Committee - Public Service; for their role in the formulation, implementation and tracking of the progress of the IMF arrangements.

Mustard Seed Communities - Voluntary Service; for their continued contribution to the welfare of the less fortunate across Jamaica.