Ivett Jackson tells of 'The Journey'

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

After facing countless hardships in life head on, for actress, model and writer Ivett Jackson, there is nothing that can keep her down.

Having overcome an abusive marriage, life-threatening accidents, molestation when she was a child and breast cancer, Jackson is determined to help others prevail over difficult circumstances.

The 59-year-old St Catherine native is living her life to the fullest, having made major achievements late in life. Currently in Jamaica promoting her book The Journey, Jackson took the time to speak with The Gleaner, recently.

Jackson left Jamaica at age 20 to live in the United States, settling in New York, and pursued nursing. She was married for more than 20 years, got divorced and decided to really enjoy her life. Over the course of three years, she put pen to paper and in 2008 released her autobiographical novel, The Journey.

In 2009, a revised copy of the novel was re-released. The Journey recounts her earlier years of being molested as a child and ventures into the ups and downs of her adult life. According to Jackson, the response to her novel has been overwhelming.

She says, "It's really off the chain, I meet people from all over the world who tell me their testimonials. I get so many stories sent in to my website. College kids have told me they've used it in research for their psychology papers, I've had telephone calls all the way from Columbia. It's awesome. Sometimes I cry like a baby, that a little girl from country could help people from all around the world."

Inspiration

The responses to her novel will be the inspiration for her third book titled A Warrior's Resilient Spirit: Built to Last. The novel will consist of the testimonials and stories Jackson has received from persons around the world, hoping to inspire even more persons. "I'm hoping to release it by the end of this year. I want to encourage people to visit my website www.ivettjackson.com and contribute your story and be a part of the novel," she said.

Keeping busy, Jackson went into modeling at the age of 56 for breast cancer benefits, banquets and anywhere people would accept her. She disclosed that she would be auditioning soon to be a model for Oprah's O magazine. She has also started acting, having appeared in USA Network's Burn Notice and A&E's The Glades. Jackson will also appear in the upcoming comedy Jack & Jill featuring Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino and others, scheduled for release in November. "I went to an audition and was one of few chosen among so many persons. I went to LA for three weeks to shoot that and it was awesome. Adam is so awesome, he read my book and Katie Holmes read my book and they both liked it," she said.

For Jackson, this is just the beginning. She hopes to one day extend her reach to more persons across the globe and hopes to establish a home for the abused in Jamaica, Haiti and Africa.

"I went through so much, I've been to the bottom. But you just have to push and hold your head up high. Even after breast cancer surgery I still got up, all by myself and made a choice, and I want to inspire and empower others to do the same," she said.