Queens Of Reggae ceremony celebrates 40 women in 2026 honours

Forty women were celebrated on May 31 at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium as the 10th Queens Of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremony, known as QORIHC, staged its 2026 awards.

Founder and promoter Laurell Nurse again used the event to recognise women whose work has influenced entertainment, media and academia. Among the honourees was 99-year-old Sylvia Browne, who helped guide the careers of her five sons, Glen, Dalton, Noel, Cleveland and Danny, all of whom have made notable contributions to reggae-dancehall.

Singer J C Lodge was also recognised. Lodge is widely associated with songs including Someone Loves You Honey and Telephone Love, and began recording in the late 1970s for producer Joe Gibbs, who produced Someone Loves You Honey.

“All creative people would probably still do what they do without recognition, as we have an inner need to express ourselves outwardly,” Lodge told the Jamaica Observer at the ceremony. “However, nothing inspires us more than being celebrated for our efforts; even moreso, when that acknowledgement comes from our female peers, in the form of a tangible keepsake, a prestigious award.”

Artiste manager Marcia Simpson was another member of the QORIHC Class of 2026. She welcomed the award, which recognised more than 45 years of work in the music industry.

“Women have become more involved in the music industry by far. It has caused things to grow to a higher level, as women put the touch in making a lot more things right, and it certainly has helped in many ways,” said Simpson. “Giving thanks for the woman’s touch.”

Other awardees included singers Myrna Hague, Etana and Tanya Stephens; sociologist Dr Carolyn Cooper; journalists Sherieta Grizzle, Nicola Cunninghan and Janet Silvera; and designer Simone Gordon.

Nurse, a health-care professional based in the United States, created the ceremony after a discussion 10 years ago with pioneering deejay Sister Nancy, who spoke about the limited respect given to women in the music business. The first QORIHC ceremony took place in 2016, and Nurse and her team have now honoured more than 200 women.