Violet Neilson

Violet Neilson, CD - Former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Jamaica.

Violet Neilson (16 July 1931 – 11 June 2024) was a Jamaican politician and teacher. A member of the People's National Party, she was the first female speaker in the House of Representatives and the first female president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

Early life Neilson was born in Somerton, St. James, Jamaica on 16 July 1931, to Caswell and Ellen (née Stewart). She was educated at the Mico Teachers' College in Kingston and returned to Somerton to become a teacher.

Career Neilson was a teacher for some nineteen years. She then worked as a secretary for South East St. James member of parliament Upton Robotham. Neilson left behind her daughter, Jacqueline Brodber and her granddaughters, Annakaye Brodber and Shevone Bulgin. Neilson was given a state funeral held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall, St. James.