21 Facts About Beverley Manley

Beverley Manley was known for being more radical than her husband and helping him connect with Jamaica's black population.

Beverley Manley was a popular figure among the majority of Jamaicans.

Beverley Manley co-founded a radio show with Eric Anthony Abrahams in 1992.

Beverley Manley Lois Anderson was born on 8 November 1941, to Esmine Anderson and Eric Anderson, and she grew up in "meager" surroundings in a working-class family.

Beverley Manley's father was a clerk for the Jamaica Railway Corporation.

Beverley Manley started her career as a model and a public broadcaster, becoming a popular figure known for favoring Jamaican music over music from other countries.

Beverley Manley married Michael Manley in 1972, and they had two children: the first in 1974 and the second in 1980.

Michael Beverley Manley was 17 years older than her, and she was his fourth wife.

Beverley Manley became Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1972, holding the role for eight years.

Beverley Manley was First Lady of Jamaica for the duration of his term, advocating on behalf of women and children.

Beverley Manley was president of the PNP's women's movement in at least 1979, advocating for maternity leave, and a leader of the movement throughout the 1970s.

Biographer Michael Darrell E Levi wrote in 1989 that Beverley Manley "played a major role in sensitizing her husband to women's concerns".

Beverley Manley visited Moscow and Cuba and was a vocal anti-imperialist, for which she was attacked by The Gleaner newspaper.

Beverley Manley later said she helped Michael with his public speaking.

Beverley Manley was not universally accepted by wealthier and more powerful Jamaicans; for instance, some told her to straighten her hair.

Beverley Manley was Jamaica's patron of International Women's Year in 1975 and attended the International Women's Year Conference that year.

Beverley Manley sought to establish forms of day care and education for infants.

In 1975, Beverley Manley was fired upon while she and her husband led a funeral procession for the politician Winston Blake.

Beverley Manley has represented Jamaica in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Beverley Manley attended Howard University from 1985 to 1986, working towards a Doctor of Philosophy.

Beverley Manley entered into a relationship with Donald Keith Duncan, who had been a minister in her husband's cabinet.