Redway doing it the right way

When Annette Redway took her first job, as library assistant at the St Mary Parish Library in Port Maria in 1969, it wasn't with the knowledge or the intention that she would have served in as many areas as she has ended up doing.

Looking back, decades later, outside of her illustrious service to the Jamaica Library Service where she rose through the ranks to become regional director from 2001 to 2013, there are myriad organisations that she has served.

Currently, Redway is a member of the St Ann Homecoming and Heritage Foundation; the St Ann's Bay Improvement Committee; the Jamaica Foundation for Life-Long Learning (JFLL) Parish Committee.

She has served as president of Soroptimist International, Jamaica; president of Soroptimist International Caribbean; president and also associate member, Association of Librarians in the Jamaica Library Service.

Her immeasurable contribution extends to St Ann Parish Council Local Government Reform Committee; the St Ann Parish Council Parish Development Committee; the St Ann Parish Disaster Preparedness Committee; Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; the Social Development Commission; St Ann Parish Investment Commitment; St Ann Drug Abuse Prevention Committee, among others.

SATISFACTION THE ONLY REWARD

Her work with these groups was done with no reward except the satisfaction that she has contributed to her community.

"I served the JFLL the longest, from around the mid-80s. I served over 20 years as treasurer," Redway told The Gleaner.

"My boss (at the library) was a member and she encouraged me to join. I felt it was a group doing something worthwhile for the community through education and otherwise."

Her fondest memories during those years would have been at graduation ceremonies, "hearing of the achievements and the difficulties they (students) had to go through," and "hearing of their successes after graduation. It was heart-warming and made me feel I was making a contribution."

In 2007 she received an award from JFLL in recognition of dedicated service to JAMAL Foundation (JFLL's forerunner).

Her time at Soroptimist International, which focuses on advocating for women and girls, has also been rewarding. She joined the club in 1986 and rose to become president, serving in that post from 1997 to 2000.

Redway also expressed her appreciation of the direction taken by the St Ann Homecoming and Heritage Foundation, saying, "I feel best about the focus that has been placed on Marcus Garvey; that is extremely important especially for the parish of St Ann."

Asked why she has served so willingly over the years, Redway responded: "I think it is because of the satisfaction I get from helping persons, so we all need to get involved.

"It's a really great feeling you get when you see a person achieving and being in a better position and knowing you had a hand in them getting there. I have no regrets. None at all."

Redway is currently working at the Brown's Town Community College as Librarian (part time), a position she has been in since 2013.