Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Eulalee Thomposn with dozens of certificates and citations she has received for outstanding contribution to the development of her community and the environment. - PHOTO BY RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WHILE MOST women would squirm at the sight of a worm let alone stormy seas, Eulalee Thompson conquers that and much more as a woman of the sea and the environment. Ms. Thompson makes her living off the sea as a fisherwoman. But catching fish is not all this remarkable woman does.
A mother of four and a member of more committees than you can count, Ms. Thompson is a Jill of all trades.
She started fishing in 1998 when then Member of Parliament for the area (Mitchell Town in Clarendon) Hugh Sharer, furnished members of the community with boats and equipment. Her brother bought an engine and she began walking in the footsteps of her father who was also a fisherman. She now has two boats. Ms. Thompson told Flair that the first few months of her fishing career were not very fruitful. "The first set of pots I set at sea for four months didn't get anything. They were stolen." She notes that these are some of the obstacles faced by fisher folk. But Ms. Thompson loves the sea. "It's quiet, out dey nice you know man. No mosquito, no noise. The first night I went to sleep out on the keys there were no flies." The experienced woman of the sea said nothing deters her from this love, "When danger is out there I don't see it."
A fisherwoman and shopkeeper, hard-working and involved, Ms. Thompson is also on numerous committees and boards in her community. She is Eulalee Thomposn of Mitchel Town in Clarendon takes a break from the sea in her shop.
One of her duties includes the tagging and naming of turtles, there is even one named for her. She is also Portland shelter manager; treasurer for the fishing council; a member of the board of Bustamante High School; chairperson for the Mitchell Town Basic School, a Red Cross member, president of the citizens association and Secretary/Treasurer of Fishermen's Association. "I have fun doing these things," she said.
At 49, the mother of four says she loves helping others. She's been the backbone of organising the annual treat for children and golden agers in the community.
GOOD COMMUNITY HELPER
Community member Balfor Wilson notes, "She's a good community helper. Without her I don't know what would happen". Lou as she is affectionately called in her community, does not take 'no' for an answer. "I get things done when I want things done. I don't believe in demonstrations and roadblocks. Mi must can talk to you and get it done. Whether Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) or People's National Party (PNP), me is no P. When you're going to do anything don't think the answer is no. Mi tell mi self you can't represent me, me no know wey you a go sey, but me know wa mi aggo seh. Anything mi waan fi de community, me get it done. Me must always have something to do.
Ms. Thompson is involved in anything that has to do with the environment. "Anything come me no mek it pass me. Any seminar me gone," She has attended seminars in California, Haiti, Belize. The fisherwoman told Flair she's enjoying every minute of her life and doing as much as she can as she never wants to say "I didn't do this or that."
SHOP CLOSED
She notes that for weeks she will have her shop closed because she has all these seminars on the environment to attend. And she has the numerous certificates of participation to show for her involvement. In her shop in Flair pored over two large envelopes with dozens of certificates of participation, commendations and citations.
She has attended courses in journalism with John Maxwell at the Institute of Media and Communication, Peace Corps of Jamaica, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and many more.
