Gemma was putting on fashion show fundraisers for local churches . That led to her being a founding member of the Montreal Caribbean Carnival in 1972 , and the owner of Quebec ’ s first black modeling group in the ‘ 80s .
“ I never saw any young , black women in magazines or TV commercials , and I thought why can ’ t we have young , beautiful black women modeling ,”
Gemma remembers . “ I was really forward in my younger days , so I went to the Gazette and I spoke to Iona Monahan , the fashion editor , and I said we have a lot of beautiful black girls and boys here , and I guess she liked my spunk and she said , “ I ’ ll do something about it .” So I put together a fashion show , and Iona did a beautiful spread in the Gazette with my models . I called them the Montreal Ebony Models .”
When her working life came to a sudden end after 32 years , Gemma anchored herself even more deeply in her community , founding the Playmas Montreal Cultural Association , a not for profit organization that celebrates Caribbean culture and fundraises for worthy causes . “ I wanted to showcase the splendour and beauty of the Caribbean , so we not only do parades and carnival , we do fashion shows , food events , and a yearly tea honouring women on International Women ’ s Day .” She also sits as Vice President of the Spice Island Cultural Association of Quebec , an organization showcasing the land of her birth , Grenada .
“ This year we were able to send thousands of PPE to the islands . We also did a toy drive because we have a lot of orphanages in Grenada . This is just something I feel the need to do , to help my island . Although Montreal is my home , I ’ ve lived here longer than I lived in Grenada , but Grenada is still a part of me . I still want to help the people there . I want to help the kids .”
Back to that urge , that lifetime drive Gemma has been guided by , the need to help . Where does it come from ?
“ When I was born ,” Gemma shares , “ I was only three pounds at birth . My mother had 10 children , but only two lived , and I was number nine . My sister is number six and I am number nine , number nine ! If it had been me , if I had had two , three , four kids and lost them all , I would have stopped . But she continued , and I am number nine , and number 10 died , and I was only three pounds at birth ! I was definitely put on this earth for a purpose .”
For her third act , Gemma is preparing now to be a grandma with two grandbabies due in 2021 , and with all the cuddling , and spoiling , and love she will give them , she also knows exactly what advice she ’ ll share .
“ You know when you do things and you don ’ t look for a tap on the back , or being put on a pedestal , it ’ s really good . You ’ re doing it from your heart . And when you do things for that reason , life is full of rewards . I ’ ve met so many nice people , made so many friends , and my life is really fulfilled , really fulfilled , with all the things that I have done .”
That big heart of hers is full , and beating strong with all the love she has poured into her community , and all the love they are giving right back .
To Table of Contents