THE MONTHLY GLEANER | JUNE 12 - JULY 12, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 5 Vinette K. Pryce/Contributor WHEN VENA W. Baker took her last breath last year, the Bronx lost a resident, America lost a friend, Jamaica lost a comrade/patriot, Panama lost a loyal friend, and the world lost a global citizen. Evident from tributes since her May 24, 2024 transition, trees were planted to dedicate her memory in Brooklyn, New York, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and Indonesia. Ensuring that her legacy will grow to higher heights, sucklings, seeds and small plants marked living memorials to the ancestor. From breadfruit, ackee, pomegranate to jackfruit, mango, avocado, banana, sour sop, lime and nase berry, the choices for variation represents vegetation that will one day bear fruit. In Accra and Kumasi, Ghana her friends and admirers planted a queen palm and neem tree on the continent of Africa. As a matter of fact, villagers in the northern region recently held a ceremony; poured libation and toasted the visitor who adopted a son there. Baker was a registered nurse who travelled extensively throughout five continents. She migrated to Harlem, New York after working at Bellevue Hospital in Kingston. She was a resident and homeowner at 21 Penn St. in Jones Town. In fact, dancehall toaster/deejay U-Roy used to address her only daughter as ‘the landlady’s daughter.” Allegedly, the legend became familiar with the community resident because sound system operators the likes of Tom“the great Sebastian,”Dicky Wong –who was acclaimed for his “dynamic sound”– and others–honed their skills at the address. ACTIVIST At a juncture, the Colon, Panamaborn native who was raised in the land of wood and water transformed the fruited landscape to a paved, dancehall venue in West Kingston. Revellers at the time, flocked to mix and mingle on Saturday nights in order to hear the latest music. Reportedly, colourful placards invited all to eat, drink, and be merry for pounds, shillings and pence. After arrival to North America, Nurse Baker evolved becoming an activist and an avid proponent of the philosophies of Marcus Mariah Mosiah Garvey Jr. She joined numerous civic organizations, registered to vote, acquired three college degrees– graduating from Bronx Community, Lehman College and Long Island University. RN Baker found membership and for a lifetime with New York State Nurses Association. As treasurer of the Jamaica Progressive League she helped salvage ownership for a Bronx headquarters. At Mosholu Senior Centre she honed a skill in playing the violin and never missed tai-chi classes. Rev. Al Sharpton, president of National Action Network, referred to Baker as “Mother B.” At the United African Movement, the founder lovingly called Vena “elder.” Along with colleagues she bonded at Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) she regularly travelled to Egypt. Baker birthed yours truly and doled over her only grandchild, Kahlil T. Goldwyn. She died at age 94. She was eulogised in Harlem and memorialised by former Jamaica Prime Minister P. J. Patterson, Dr. Karl Rodney, Irwine Clare, reporter Peter Noel, and numerous prominent New Yorkers. A repast followed at the headquarters of the JPL in the Bronx. Vena W. Baker is now at peace with the ancestors but will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace Vena W. Baker Activist Kathy Sharpton and Vinette Pryce, daughter, remembered Vena W. Baker CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS In Kumasi, Ghana, 2 Neem trees will grow in remembrance of Vena Baker.
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