Mrs L. Angela Martins - the Cayman Islands

Person of the Year 2003

Mrs. L. Angela Martins, MBE, Executive Director of the 
Quincentennial Celebrations Office

Friday, January 2, 2004

In a year of challenging and dramatic political and economic developments, external pressures on Cayman's financial services sector, far-reaching economic and social changes such as the liberalisation of the telecommunications market, the Cayman Islands celebrated in an unprecedented way the achievement of 500 years of its history, culture and beauty.

While the story of the islands' discovery, development and latter day success as the world's fifth largest financial centre had its genesis in 1503, steps towards the commemoration of its 500th anniversary began in 2001, when then Governor Peter Smith made this project one of his last acts in his official capacity. 

The monumental task of distilling the history and achievements of 500 years into one year's celebration fell to the Ministry of Tourism, under the aegis of the Minister, the Hon McKeeva Bush. Later, the task would be assigned to a National Quincentennial Committee, led by Mr D. Ezzard Miller. 

The day-to-day management of the project fell to Mrs Angela Martins, the former and first Caymanian director of tourism. She was appointed in June 2001, to a project that had no precedent, and with a mandate to start from zero base.

For her role in implementing Cayman's celebration of its Quincentennial Year, Cayman Net News and thousands of its readers have overwhelmingly and unequivocally selected Mrs Angela Martins as the Person of the Year 2003. Cayman Net News' list of contenders was narrowed to a field of top ten contenders, after a careful and arduous selection process. Angela Martins, as Person of the Year, easily beat the other competitors based on all selection criteria.

Submissions to Cayman Net News revealed an unqualified national admiration for her dedication and professionalism in executing the Quincentennial project. She won praise for the high standard of each event and for her visibility and involvement every step of the way. 

With an almost missionary zeal to highlight and celebrate "things Caymanian," Mrs Martins and a small staff at the Quincentennial Celebrations Office organised event after special event, which rekindled the history and culture of the Cayman Islands, recognised and rewarded the work of many previously unsung heroes, and extolled the value of the diversity and harmony of this small territory that has welcomed residents from all across the globe. 

Her enthusiasm has been infectious, and her commitment to the project obvious. Over the course of two years she would personally pound the pavement, relentlessly making presentation after presentation to help the committee raise some $2 million for the year's celebrations. She was able to harness scores of volunteers and earned the support of a wide cross section of Caymanians and residents who would eagerly assist with everything from the major to the minor, including the loan of precious photographs, artifacts and family heirlooms when necessary.

Throughout the year, and in every segment of the project, Mrs Martins' focus remained constant - in fact it became her mantra: "It's got to be done right. We have one chance to do this," she would say. "And we just have to do it right."

No one who has witnessed this year's celebrations can deny that it was done right. Whether she was rapping with school children about what it means to celebrate Cayman's heritage, or hobnobbing with corporate leaders to gain support for the project, or issuing instructions to workmen on various sites, Mrs Martins worked tirelessly to ensure that things were done right.

She has done all this in addition to her role as wife and mother to three children, without lessening her involvement in community activities such as being Chairman of St Ignatius Catholic School's Board, and being a devout member of the St Ignatius Catholic Church.

Perhaps her efficiency as Executive Director of the Quincentennial Celebrations Office stemmed from a background of over seven years as Director of Tourism in which she was guardian and promoter of "brand Cayman", or perhaps it was her drive for perfection that underlines her personality and professional approach. 

One could also detect in her leadership of the Quincentennial project, a desire to prove herself yet again as a woman of many firsts, whose love for her country and passion for doing a good job will blossom wherever she is planted.

"The (Quincentennial) project defines what it is to serve, and serve one's country and I have tremendous gratitude that I have had the opportunity to be the one," Mrs Martins said recently. She cites a high regard for things Caymanian, which has been heightened by "all the exchanges and interchanges that I have had" with many different people throughout the year.

Long after the celebratory glitter of the many festivities that marked the Quincentennial year have faded, the landscape of these islands will continue to bear the imprints of this watershed year. 

From waterfront signage, to district markers, monuments to walls of history and distinction, from memorials to roundabouts, the Quincentennial celebrations changed the face of the islands, leaving green spaces, hallowed spots and awe-inspiring reminders of the yearlong commemoration.

Perhaps the contribution of the project's Executive Director will be among those immortalised in the islands' history in years to come. 

It certainly deserves to be.

An in-depth rendering on the life and work of Mrs Martins, her vision for her country, and the defining characteristics of this year's Quincentennial celebrations, is presented as the feature cover subject of this year's 'Year in Review' special bound supplement.

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