Tell youngsters about Jamaican achievers, says Forbes

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Celebrated actress and broadcaster Leonie Forbes is of the view that greater effort needs to be made to document the lives and achievements of outstanding Jamaicans so youngsters can have better access to information about the nation's top achievers.

Forbes was at the King Street branch of Sangster's Bookstore in Montego Bay last weekend for the book signing of her autobiography Leonie: Her Autobiography, Leonie Forbes as Told to Mervyn Morris.

"We have so many Jamaicans who have played an instrumental role in the development of one area or another, and documenting such achievements is a good way to develop a culture of knowing that we are a nation of achievers," Forbes said.

TREMENDOUS FEELING

While there was no grand fanfare associated with the book signing, the animated and engaging veteran theatre personality interacted with children and a small group of persons, who came out to see her and get copies of the book signed.

"To be able to interact with the public and share my experiences and talk about what is in the book and how I feel is just tremendous, and I loved every moment of it," she said.

According to Forbes, the message she hopes persons would get from reading the book is: "Don't give up, keep trying. Live your life. Find out what you love, what you are good at, and go for that."

The iconic Forbes, who has been dubbed the first lady of Jamaican theatre -stage and screen - was also one of the first voices on Jamaican airwaves back in 1955 when she worked as an announcer at the now-defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation.

Forbes' four-decade-long theatre résumé includes international roles in plays in Australia and the United Kingdom. She is passing on her legacy as she mentors performing arts students as well as media students.