Portmore Council honours 13 at Heroes Day ceremony

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Six individuals, two companies and five staff members of the Portmore Municipal Council were honoured Monday at the annual Heroes Day Civic and Awards Ceremony, held on the grounds of the council under the theme “Resilient People, Proud Heritage”.

Lana Louise Finikin, Tremayne Ochardo Perry and Carmen Eunice Morris were recognised for community development, while Odean Godfrey Taylor was honoured for his contribution to sport. Oshane Nicardo Dixon and Davoy Amani Burton were the youth development awardees.

Finikin, a founding member of the Sistren Theatre Collective, which was established in 1977, has served as its executive director since 2004. She was commended for using theatre and the creative arts to address issues such as gender-based violence, crime prevention, teenage parenthood and community safety, and for her work in women’s empowerment. Her advocacy has extended internationally through engagement with the United Nations and UN Women. Locally, she has been active in Portmore and chairs the West Cumberland Community Development Committee.