Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
People's National Party presidential contender Portia Simpson Miller (left) sprints into the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, en route to the room where female supporters held a rally to support her candidacy to become Prime Minister of Jamaica. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
A WOMEN'S rally in support of People's National Party (PNP) presidential hopeful Portia Simpson Miller, yesterday turned into a cross between a church service and a dancehall jamboree.
Things got off to a late start, as Mrs. Simpson Miller arrived at the venue, the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston, more than an hour late. The second she got there, however, the excitement started.
She got out of a van at the entrance to the conference centre and was swarmed by a group of adoring supporters. Mrs. Simpson Miller hugged and kissed them as she walked slowly into the building. In a surprising turn of events however, the presidential candidate suddenly broke out into a sprint. Yes, a sprint. With her supporters by her side every step of the way, Mrs. Simpson Miller's dash took her inside the building, around a bend and into the conference room where the rally was to be held.
Throughout the rally, female supporters from all walks of life gave short speeches, throwing their support behind the Minister of Local Government and Sports.
The speakers included Professor Carolyn Cooper of the University of the West Indies (UWI), who got the crowd of supporters hyped up as she encouraged Mrs. Simpson Miller to step on any rocks in her way, climb over them and keep climbing.
A fiery speech delivered by Bishop Juliet Fagan from the Cayman Islands drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
Mrs. Simpson Miller used the opportunity to remind the crowd that she was from humble beginnings and so, knew first hand, the struggles faced by the average Jamaican. She said this foundation would guide her if she becomes Prime Minister.
