POWERFUL CARIBBEAN MOMS

by Brianna Vernon

Lisa Hanna

Lisa Hanna wears many hats; Miss World 1993, Jamaica’s Former Minister of Youth and Culture and now four-term Member of Parliament (MP) for the island’s People’s National Party. A perfect example of the term “beauty with brains’’, Hanna continues to share what her followers refer to as rich wisdom via her philanthropic efforts and the online space as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador |and columnist for the highlyesteemed Jamaica Observer.

Hanna has one child, a son named Alexander, who she never shies away from

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

From pocket rocket to mommy rocket, Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce proves that moms can do it all! Shelly-Ann sprinted onto the global scene in 2008 when she dominated the track and became the 100m Olympic champion—the first Caribbean woman to do so. Two Olympic gold medals later, she had her son Zion, in 2017.

One would think that after having a child, the legendary sprinter would have retired from the track but Fraser-Pryce was determined to create a monumental moment that the sports fraternity is still talking about today. At 32 years of age, she became the first mom and the oldest woman to win a 100m title which she claimed at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Rihanna

Introducing, The Right Excellent, Robyn Rihanna Fenty. The iconic entertainer earned one of the greatest milestones when she was declared a National Hero of Barbados in 2021, after years of being an education and tourism ambassador for the island nation.

Before that honour, Riri was already known worldwide as one of the most prominent pop/R&B sensations of the 21st century, charting hits like Umbrella, Work, Needed Me, Don’t Stop The Music and Love On The Brain. Now, she’s also hailed as an inspiring mom, after giving birth to her first son in May, 2022.

Rihanna has since taken a break from the spotlight, except to announce details of her makeup, skin and lingerie lines and when she announced her second pregnancy during her historic Super Bowl performance in 2023. Needless to say, fans are eager to see whether the pop culture icon will be having another boy or a girl.

Caribbean women have set the bar high. Whether it be in politics, entertainment, sports or any other arena, their hard work and dedication speak volumes! What’s even more inspiring is how they accomplish these major fetes all while looking fabulous, setting trends and raising families.

Names such as Lisa Hanna, Shelly-ann Fraser-Pryce, Rihanna, Spice and Nicki Minaj all ring a bell. Each of these posh and powerful moms are excelling in their respective fields and making their homeland proud while they’re at it!

Spice

Grace Hamilton’s determination to give her children the absolute best can be seen by the world. Known regionally and internationally as Spice, the Queen of the Dancehall, fiery on-stage performer, entrepreneur and mother of two has been vocal about her rags to riches story—now owning several homes despite growing up in poverty.

Her children, Nicholas Jr. and Nicholatoy, are reaping the benefits of their mother’s diligence in the dancehall industry. From her debut at the Jamaican music festival, Sting, in 2000 to her 2022 album, Emancipated, and beyond, Spice has remained one of the most consistent and influential entertainers on the island—at the same time building a business empire which includes her clothing line Graci Noir and beauty brand, Faces & Laces.

The “generous Queen” has long earned her spot as one of the most impactful female rappers to ever grace the music industry. The Trinidadian-born rap superstar, whose real name is Onika Maraj-Petty, has been named Best Female Hip-Hop Artist for seven consecutive years by the BET Awards. After ruling the airwaves with some of the hardest tracks and catchiest tunes for over a decade, her focus shifted toward her family life.

Minaj gave birth to her son in 2020, and to date, fans only know the toddler by the cute nickname his mother has given him; Papa Bear. The endearment has caught on with the public too and is just another sign of the motherly love the rap star has for her son.

Nicki Minaj