Sheryl Lee Ralph continues her phenomenal year by being honored with the nation’s fifth highest honor, the Order of Jamaica (OJ), at Jamaica’s National Honours and Awards ceremony on the lawn of King’s House in Kingston on Thursday (Oct.17.)
Ralph received the distinction for her “sterling contribution as an actress, cultural ambassador for Jamaica, and [for her] contribution to the international film industry.”
“Well, it is now official! I am The Honourable Sheryl Lee Ralph OJ (Order of Jamaica) Warrior Woman! #ThisisWhatBelievingLooksLike,” Ralph captioned a post of her receiving the award from Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. The “Abbott Elementary” looked every inch the Hollywood icon in her sunshine yellow Perry Meeks dress and bright smile.
Speaking to the Jamaican Information Service (JIS), Ralph called receiving the award “the icing on the cake.”
“I thought it was a feeling of elation when I won the Emmy, but to be conferred with the Order of Jamaica, my mother having been conferred Order of Distinction. Ivy Ralph OD…we say Original Diva,” she gushed. “I feel so proud. Pictures have been posted already, and the way people are responding throughout Jamaica, across the Caribbean, has been phenomenal,” she said.
The award was presented to 10 recipients this year, including Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander and five-time track and field world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
“It’s a great feeling. I am touched to be honored by my country, and for the prime minister and the Cabinet to see it fit to give me the honour Order of Jamaica. I am happy to be sharing this with a number of other great Jamaicans-Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sheryl Lee Ralph and other persons from the sectors from which I have responsibility, and also with other Jamaicans who have excelled in other areas of endeavour to make Jamaica this great nation that it is. And, particularly at this time when Jamaica is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and in the presence of Haile Selassie’s grandson, Prince Ermias and his wife Princess Saba Kebede,” Minister Grange told The Jamaican Gleaner.
