Paula Llewellyn’s inspiring message in Old Harbour

Those were the words of Paula Llewellyn while speaking at the 2024 Old Harbour High School Graduation Ceremony, recently held at the Old Harbour New Testament Church of God.

Speaking to an audience of over 200 graduates and hundreds of family members and friends, Mrs Llewellyn, whose position as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is currently embroiled in a legal tussle, used her vast experience and knowledge, to educate and inspire.

With 30 years of experience in the legal profession, 25 of which spent in the public service, Llewellyn broke many proverbial glass ceilings including that of being the first and only female to be appointed as the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica.

Yet she remains unbowed by the recent issues that have sought to sully a remarkable journey in rising to the top as the state’s top prosecutor. Dressed in a simple cream dress with matching shoes, she graced the podium with life lessons learned over those many decades and emphasized the drive they instilled in her.
The 1984 University of the West Indies law graduate underscored the critical role of education and credited her success to the values imparted by her parents.

“What was important to my mother, who was a nurse, was what is in yuh head,” said Llewellyn to audience that was kept glued throughout the entirety of her time at the lectern.
. “She used to say to me and my sister that ‘nobody can crack you head and take out what is in it’.

“My father didn’t have the benefit of high school education [like you], he came from Frankfield, he went abroad to do farm work then he came back after about six years and became a real estate agent. What both parents taught me, was how good it is, the work ethic.”

During her presentation, which lasted more than 30 minutes, under the theme, ‘Never quit, excellence is an attitude’, Llewellyn shared her younger experience before juxtaposing that with her present title as Jamaica’s first female DPP.

“When I was in primary school all I ever did was read, I had pimples, I spoke with a strong lisp because I have the open space in my teeth, top and bottom and I had very big feet, I still do, I wear size 12; and I use to wear these cat-eyed glasses,” remarked Llewellyn, adjusting her glasses before adding: “When I was in sixth form at St. Hugh’s High and I asked my father to teach me how to drive his car, he looked at me and said… ‘when you learn to wash it then you can learn to drive it’.”

Llewellyn referenced her past to encourage others, presenting herself as a living testament of resilience and determination. She mentioned that her parents never allowed her to use the word 'can't' but encouraged her to use 'try' instead – a lesson that continues to resonate with her today and expressed gratitude to her father for teaching her that fear is a concept without a place in life.

After quoting some powerful words from the famous African-American inventor, Booker T. Washington, Llewellyn said, “I could not have thought when I was in the office of the DPP as a deputy director, that I eventually would have become DPP. The patriarchy in the profession wasn’t just a glass ceiling, it was a concrete ceiling! Because only men were to be in the high public offices in the legal departments. I put into practice what my parents taught me, I worked, I was on the front line!”

She urged the graduates to pursue higher education and to wait until the appropriate time to start their families while emphasizing that her mind is her greatest asset that ensured her mobility and economic independence.
“Nothing is promised to you unless you are prepared to work hard and even when you work hard, you might not quite get what you want at the time you want it, but it is another step to prepare you to never quite and to achieve success in the journey of life,” said Llewellyn.

In addition, she assured that having faith in God can significantly aid individuals, suggesting Psalms 91, 121, or 23 for guidance and mental assurance.
Addressing parents directly, she emphasized the importance of active involvement in their children’s lives as crucial support for their journey towards success.

“I definitely have to salute and congratulate you the graduates for being beacons of excellence, I wish to salute and congratulate your parents, your caregivers, your guardians and I especially salute the parents and caregivers who walked the journey with you for the five years. Also your teachers, I salute you,” said Llewellyn as she paused to allow all the graduates to applaud their parents and teachers.

At the end of her speech, Llewellyn was presented with an excellent sketched portrait of herself, much to her astonishment, and which also drew huge applause from the audience.