2010 – Jamaica Elects First Female Prime Minister of African Descent (Portia Simpson Miller) for Second Term

On May 22, 2010, Portia Simpson Miller was re-elected as President of the People’s National Party, setting the stage for her second term as Jamaica’s Prime Minister—the first woman of African descent to do so in the island’s history. Her leadership marked a turning point in Caribbean politics, combining grassroots advocacy with bold calls for republicanism and economic equity. Simpson Miller championed gender equality, education access, and regional cooperation within CARICOM. May 22 reflects not only a political victory but a cultural affirmation for Afro-Caribbean women who had long been underrepresented in leadership roles. Her journey from humble beginnings to the highest political office in Jamaica stands as an enduring symbol of possibility for Black women worldwide. This date is essential for understanding modern Black political leadership and the shifting dynamics of gender, power, and Afro-descendant agency in the Caribbean context.