Jamaica Creates Annual Honour For Oldest Citizen In Mavis Gilmour’s Name

A new national award, the Hon. Mavis Gilmour Centenarian Honour, has been created by the Government to salute Jamaica’s eldest citizen each year.

The recognition carries the name of Hon. Dr. Mavis Gilmour, the former Minister of Social Security and Consumer Affairs who served from 1988 to 1989 and is also remembered for her long record in public service. Dr. Gilmour marked her 100th birthday on April 13.

Originally from St. Elizabeth, Dr. Gilmour also holds a historic place in medicine as the first woman surgeon in the Caribbean.

Labour and Social Security Minister Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. announced the honour on May 19 while making his 2026/27 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives. He said the initiative forms part of the wider push to value the work and legacy of Jamaica’s oldest residents.

Charles noted that seniors now account for about 14 per cent of the population, a share he said continues to rise. Jamaica currently has 423 registered centenarians islandwide.