Portia Simpson Miller is a woman who may not be familiar to those living in the United States, but in Jamaica, she is a woman of power. Portia Simpson Miller is the Prime Minister of Jamaica who has been portrayed as a woman of bravery and valor. It is hard for a woman to become of power, especially in a poor country. Therefore, this essay will be discussing her terms of power locally, nationally, and internationally. Also, discussed will be her socialization, her ethics, her entry into her position, and also the significance of her term as an empowered woman. .
The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller was born on December 12, 1945 in Wood Hall, St. Catherine into a working family. A working family could be middle class here in the United States, but in Jamaica Wood Hall is considered a "very poor section of Jamaica." Portia went to Marlie Hill Primary School and graduated from St. Martin's High School. Portia then went out of the country beginning in Miami, Florida to obtain her college degrees. Miller holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Administration, an Honorary Doctorate from the Union Institute and University of Ohio, and another Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from the Northern Caribbean University. Miller married Errald Miller, the former Chief Executive Officer of Cable & Wireless Jamaica Ltd. They did not have any children. .
Portia Simpson Miller has always been politically involved in Jamaica. Miller entered politics when she won a council seat back in 1974, in which she represented the ward of Trench Town West on the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation. Two years later, in 1976, she was elected to Parliament as the People's National Party candidate. In 1977 she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government. Then in 1978 she was elected as vice-president of PNP, which she retained this title until 2006. At the 1980 general election, the PNP lost and many lost their seats, and being one of nine of fifty-one she managed to keep her seat.