GoodHeart | A life of giving earns Beryl Finegan Mother of the Year 2025 title
Published:Saturday | May 17, 2025 | 2:56 PMOâbrian Wynter/Gleaner Writer
There is something profoundly uplifting and reassuring about a celebration honouring selflessness, sacrifice, and silent courage. That’s exactly what Ava-Gay Blair-Black envisioned when she created the Mother Of The Year competition, which is now in its seventh year. This annual tribute honours exceptional mothers whose nurturing hands stretch beyond their own households and into the heart of their communities.
“I always go back to my mother,” Blair-Black shared, reflecting on what drives her to organise the event year after year. “My mother didn’t have it. She didn’t have [an] abundance, but she would always welcome people’s children. She would come off her bed and give a whole family to sleep on while she slept on the ground or the couch.”
Seeing her mother’s selfless acts pushed Blair-Black to find a way to honour mothers who are just as selfless.
“I was like, there must be some kind of national award for these mothers who go above and beyond, not just for their children, but others,” she told GoodHeart. “It’s all good to hear a mother taking care of our children, but when it comes to a mother who reaches out to her community and takes in everybody and makes everybody feel like family, it is a different level of nurturing. And I said to myself, I am going to be the one to make these mothers feel like a queen.”
This year’s competition was no different in heart and depth. The format invited Jamaicans to nominate outstanding mothers from their homes, churches, and communities – women who embody not just care for their children, but a rare capacity to uplift everyone around them. From dozens of heartfelt submissions, 10 finalists were selected. A panel of seven judges carefully reviewed video tributes and verified touching letters.
But among these 10 standout women, one rose to the top. Beryl Finegan, the 2025 Mother of the Year, didn’t just raise her own children – she raised dreams. She once spotted a young domestic worker in a local market and saw something many might overlook – potential. That young woman, with Finegan’s financial support, completed her Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams, attended university, and is now a trained teacher with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Finegan also supported a young man, working as a mason, but holding impressive CXC passes, by funding his university education. Today, she’s currently sending another student to the Knox Community College, all out of her own pocket. In yet another life-changing act, she helped a struggling young woman save her home from default by paying off her National Housing Trust debt.
FINEGAN’S MANTRA
“She’s elderly, but her heart is young and generous,” said Blair-Black. “She’s sending other people’s children to school just like she did her own. Her mantra is, ‘God plus education equals success’. That’s what makes her a mother in the truest, most profound sense.
“These are things for me and for the other judges that really stood out. And that was all done by one individual,” Blair-Black shared.
Finegan’s humility, generosity, and transformative spirit made her the clear choice for this year’s crown. But the Mother’s Day celebration, held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, didn’t stop with her. The first runner-up, Dr Marti McLeod, and the second runner-up, Verna Henry, were also honoured for their powerful community impact and overwhelming public support, both online and in person.
Though she never sought recognition, Finegan is very appreciative of the award.
“It’s not something I expected,” she told GoodHeart, “but I’m thankful to God and the organisers. It encourages me to work harder and continue helping others in any way I can.”
A committed Christian and lifelong nurturer, Finegan’s generosity extends far beyond her own children. Inspired by her mother’s example and a deep-rooted faith, she funded education, paid off debts, and mentored those in need – not for praise, but for purpose.
“I get a sense of achievement when I help someone and see that they go further in life and achieve their goals,” she said.
Her nomination came from Rosemarie Hyatt, a market vendor Finegan once assisted, who now gives back in her own way – a ripple effect of kindness.
“It gives me a sense of satisfaction to see that I helped her and to see how helpful she is to others, the way I extended help to her, so it’s safe to say that she has taken over from me, and I am really grateful for that.”