I am not ashamed to say I envy the resilience of Jamaicans.

They have made the international community stand up and take notice of their reggae music through sheer tenacity and determination while we are still wavering on the sidelines for our soca and pan to get the recognition it deserves.

As with reggae music, the Jamaicans have also been pushing fashion, ensuring that their models and designers gain international recognition. As a result, many Jamaican models have been signed to such prestigious modelling agencies as Ford and Elite, and grace the covers and pages of top-of-the-line magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Elle and Essence, to name a few.

One of the most forthright and hard-working women at the helm of the fashion scene in Jamaica is Romae Gordon, director of Pulse and Caribbean Fashionweek in Jamaica.

Over the past 12 years, Gordon has played a pivotal role in directing Caribbean fashion. The former model graces our cover.

Award-winning writer Cedriann Martin takes a hard look at the strides being made to ensure that by the end of 2012, no child is born with HIV.

Check out her comprehensive interview with Dr Ayanna Sebro, deputy programme director of Health at the Ministry of Health. Sebro speaks candidly on Pages 16 and 17 about the programme being carried out to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Writer Lorraine Waldropt takes Real Women Real Stories inside the gym at West Mall this week where she introduces us to 63-year-old Jean Mohammed, a woman who puts women half her age to shame when she tackles those dumbbells.

Please enjoy these stories and a whole lot more.

And remember, be kind to each other.

Angela Martin

Editor

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angela.martin-hinds@trinidadexpress.com