Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2017 | Page 677
Gemma Raeburn-Baynes. ~ Woman of Distinction~
Recipient of the 1997 Woman of Distinction Award, Gemma is “. . . is a woman who, by her daily actions, strength of character and professional path, enriches the community and contributes to the advancement of all women. This exceptional woman is a role model for young people, inspiring others to excel. ~ YWCA Woman of Distinction Selection Committee ~ Gemma Raeburn-Baynes is the Founder and Executive Director of the Montreal Caribbean Fashion Week, a star-studded fashion extravaganza, reflecting the beauty and flair of the Caribbean and its people. She is also the Founding President of Playmas Montreal Cultural Association, which stages A Taste of the Caribbean, an extravagant Caribbean food festival held annually in the province of Quebec, which awards culinary scholarships to disenfranchised youth through its Triumph Through Adversity Program. In 2015 , Gemma celebrated 16 years of this festival. Very active in Montreal’s Black Community, Gemma has been a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser for non-profit and charitable organizations for over fifty years. “Gemma is a volunteer who adds spice and heart to her community work,” says Bill Brownstein of the Montreal Gazette. Gemma was born on the island of Grenada, West Indies, and came to Canada in 1964 at the age of 13. As a young girl in her new home of Montreal, she started her life of service activism in school and at church. She was a member and then director of the St. Francis of Assisi Children’s Choir, with her Mom playing the organ at that church. Having received three years of opera training at a very early age, Gemma possessed a fine voice and trained other children in her church to sing. Her choir performed at several nursing homes around the City and at her church concerts which she produced. She is a retired senior auditor with BMO Bank of Montreal, where she has worked since 1973. In addition to her banking career, Gemma has been active in business, community development and her charitable initiatives. Recipient of many awards, including being recognized in the House of Commons in Ottawa by the Sub-Committee on Official Languages, for receiving the Sheila and Victor Goldbloom Award for Distinguished Community Service; she is also the recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award from the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Montreal (1998). Gemma herself has instituted many community awards, including The Woman of Merit Award celebrating International Women’s Day and in recognition of the achievements of women in the Black community and beyond and the Taste of the Caribbean Lifetime Achievement Award, first given to The Mighty Sparrow, The Calypso King of the World, for his 50 years of promoting Caribbean arts and culture. Gemma has partnered with a number of youth-focused organizations, universities, colleges, elementary and high schools to achieve her goal of a better community. Gemma is a graduate of McGill University. Click here to read more about Gemma Raeburn-Baynes. ~ Woman of Distinction~