Back in 1944, Iris Rhudella Collins made history at age twenty-nine when she became the first Jamaican woman of African descent elected into Jamaica’s House of Representatives.

Eighty years ago, Iris Collins was the only female member of the House. Can you imagine the excitement, uproar, rumbles that came with this historic turn of events? Can you also imagine that sole young woman in the midst of men? And she stood strong through it all.

Again at that instance, Jamaica raised the bar for everyone. She was black. She was female. Yet Jamaica chose her. Saint James Northwestern constituency to be exact, got the job done. Those people who chose her, took a bold step to explore another option and made history in all of the Caribbean.

Before Iris waded into the waters of politics, she was first a farmer like her parents. Then a business woman, before becoming a professional politician.

As a House member, Iris was on committees of education, social welfare and agriculture with focus on better life for Saint James. She also continued to work on the Saint James parochial board till 1949 when she was defeated by a member of the opposition.

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