Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley's 103rd Birthday

Today's Doodle, illustrated by Jamaican guest artist Robyn Smith, celebrates Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley’s 103rd birthday. The Jamaican poet, folklorist, activist and entertainer empowered the country to take pride in its language and culture. Known by many Jamaicans as “Miss Lou,” Bennett's social commentary and sense of humor made her a popular personality in the country. 

Bennett was born on September 7, 1919 in Kingston, Jamaica. She developed a passion for literature and Jamaican folklore in school and began writing poetry. Fascinated by her native language, Bennett wrote in the local dialect. Her first public appearance was her recital of a poem in Jamaican patois at a concert. 

Soon, Bennett was given a weekly column in The Gleaner, the island’s newspaper at the time, though they originally rejected Bennett’s poems. The majority of Jamaicans speak patois, but critics denounced it as an inferior and improper language. Her column, which captured the experiences of Jamaicans in their own language, gained support across the country.

In 1942, Bennett published her first book of poetry, Dialect Verses. It earned her a British Council scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. As the school's first Black student, Bennett worked for the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC) where she hosted the radio program Caribbean Carnival. After completing her degree, she hosted other programs like West Indian Guest Night and acted in theater companies.

Returning to Jamaica in 1956, Bennett worked as a Drama Officer and later Director of the Jamaica Social Welfare Commission. On behalf of the commission, she moved around the country to train village instructors and regional officers with workshops like playmaking, improvisation and mime. She gave lectures on Jamaican folklore in the United States and England. Bennett also hosted radio programs like Laugh with Louise and Miss Lou's Views, and Ring Ding, a beloved Saturday morning children’s TV show airing on Jamaica Broadcasting Commission (JBC). 

In 1998, the Jamaican government appointed Bennett as the country’s Cultural Ambassador at Large. She was also inducted into the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II. Bennett was a champion of her country’s language and culture, inspiring Jamaicans to take pride in both.

Happy Birthday, Miss Lou!

Photographed: Louise Simone Bennett Coverley 

Courtesy of the Louise Simone Bennett Coverley Estate

Special thanks to the Louise Simone Bennett Coverley Estate (LBC Estate) for their collaboration on this project. Below, her son Fabian Coverley B.Th. shares his thoughts on Miss Lou’s legacy.

“Yu no know wat you have till it gone” (You don’t know what you have until it’s gone) - Jamaican proverb 

While I was living with my mother, whom I called “Aunt Louise,” I did not recognize that she was an icon. My mother was loving, devoted, and faithful to her family. She was a mother to many, some of whom lived with us. She was known by her adopted children as “Mother Lou”. Outside of our home in Gordon Town, Jamaica, my mother was known as “the Cultural Queen, Miss Lou”.  She made Jamaicans proud worldwide. She developed her skills, working and researching to become an ethnographer.  She was a Jamaican original—poet, writer, folklorist, comedian, encourager, and mentor. My mother inspired Jamaicans to recognize that we have a distinctive language, popularly known as Patwa.  As she would say, “It a fi wi” (It is ours).  

The journey was not easy. Miss Lou was disregarded as the promoter of a ‘vulgar’ non-language that was not fit to be used in polite society. She faced adversity when she chose to work and talk in the language of the people.  She took on the role of freedom fighter and suffered condemnation of the so-called gatekeepers of the society. Today, she would be called a cultural activist. In her dramatic monologues and poetry (sometimes referred to as Dub), she created characters to tell her own truth about Jamaican society. Poems she wrote in the 1940s, such as “Colonization in Reverse,” are still relevant today, 

Miss Lou is especially known for her influence on children. She taught the enthusiastic children to celebrate our culture—the folk songs, proverbs and stories that define who we are as Jamaicans. 

My eldest child, and her first grandson, said this about her, “Louise Bennett taught the ones that teach us. She has influenced the present generation who will influence future generations. Her manners and teachings will be forever. She was always, “ON” for her whole existence, for the rich and poor.  She respected all Jamaicans and gave her “ALL” to her country. Her credits are embodied in the culture of the people. Her legacy is not only to the African-West Indian community, but to the world.”

My mother was kind and loving.  She was not tribal.  But she always sided with the ordinary people.  She believed in them unconditionally. And she valued the language they spoke.  Because of Miss Lou, our language is respected and celebrated on the international scene, particularly in music and sports. The world has adopted many of the sayings she promoted such as, ‘Wa a gwaan?’ (What’s happening?).  Her favorite was, ‘Walk good an good duppy walk with you’ (Take care as you go and may good spirits keep you company).

My mother was a trailblazer and pathfinder. Her legacy is long-lasting.  I am blessed to have had such a mother and to have shared her with the world. 

- Fabian Coverley B.Th., Miss Lou’s son

Guest Artist Q&A with Robyn Smith

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Jamaican guest artist Robyn Smith. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle:

Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: I grew up learning so much about Miss Lou. There was not a heritage day that went by without skits dedicated to her and the rich history of her contribution to Jamaica's culture. I remember having to learn every line of her poems for school performances, so getting to draw her and celebrate her birthday is really just so special.

Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle?

A: I SCREAMED. I was just so excited about getting to work with Google, but then on top of that to have it be about a Jamaican subject. AND that subject being Miss Lou, I was washed with pride for Jamaica.

Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? 

A: I drew inspiration from all the times I performed Miss Lou's songs and poems as a child and I also looked up old videos of her performances. She is really such an inspiration.

Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I hope people can learn a little about the impact of Miss Lou and truly how much she had a passion for preserving our culture.