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~