Jane Ellen Usher Explained

Jane Ellen Usher
Nationality:Belizean
Office1:Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Pickstock
Term Start1:21 November 1979
Term End1:4 September 1989
Predecessor1:Adolfo Lizarraga
Successor1:George Cadle Price
Primeminister2:George Cadle Price
Term Start2:15 September 1989
Term End2:1 June 1993
Successor2:Edward Flowers
Birth Name:Jane Ellen Price
Birth Date:5 September 1917
Birth Place:Belize City, British Honduras
Death Place:Belize City, Belize
Party:People's United Party

Jane Ellen Usher (5 September 1917  - 12 December 2018) was the longest running Chief Executive Officer in Belize. She previously served in the People's United Party as a Cabinet member of Health and Cooperatives, President of the Senate, and member of the House of Representatives. She joined Holy Redeemer Credit Union as a clerk, became its treasurer and has served as its CEO since 1956. Usher was the older sister of the "father of Belize", George Cadle Price. She won both the Distinguished Service Award from the Jamaican Cooperative Credit Union League and the Golden Eagle Award from the Belize Credit Unions League for her service to the credit union movement.

Biography

Jane Ellen Price was born on 5 September 1917,[1] in Belize City, British Honduras to William Cadle Price and Irene Cecelia Escalante. She was one of eleven children including Samuel William Price, John Cecil Price, Anna Cecilia Price, George Cadle Price, Lydia Mary Waight, Alice Margaret Craig, Josephine Delia Balderamos, Irene Elizabeth Canton, Katharine Louise Price and Judy Sybil Price.[2]

On 3 January 1942 Price married Henry Charles Usher[3] and in 1944, when Holy Redeemer Credit Union was established, she began working there as a clerk. In the 1950s she helped to create legislation to create a credit union league.[4] British Honduras Credit Union League was officially formed on 15 June 1956 under the new legislation and Usher was appointed as General Manager and elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer, a position she has held since.[5] In 2001, Usher was honored with the Golden Eagle Award from the Belize Credit Unions League for outstanding service to the Credit Union Movement.[6] That same year she was also honored by the Belize Business Bureau for her contributions to women's development in business in Belize.[7] In 2012, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League.

Usher served as a PUP Cabinet Minister of Health and Cooperatives from 1979 to 1984. From 1984 to 1989, she served as a member of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.[8] Then between 15 September 1989 and 1 June 1993, Usher served as the president of the Senate.[9] Usher became Director Emeritus of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union in 2012.[10] In 2013, Usher was awarded an honorary doctorate from Galen University for her long service to citizens of Belize. She turned 100 in September 2017.[11]

Usher died at age 101 on 12 December 2018 in Belize City. She was given a state funeral on 18 December 2018 at Holy Redeemer Cathedral.[12] Elizabeth Zabaneh is her daughter.[13]

Notes and References

  1. News: Belize's credit union movement pioneer, Jane Usher, passes away at 101 . 18 December 2018 . . 13 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181214113813/https://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2018/12/13/hon-dr-jane-usher-passes-away/ . 14 December 2018 . San Pedro, Belize.
  2. Web site: George Price Biography and Pictorial. 8 September 2015. Belize.com. San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize.
  3. Web site: Henry Charles Usher, MBE. 9 September 2015.
  4. Beall. Michael. Belize CUs to Expand Services. World Council of Credit Unions. May 2003. 5. 2. 9 September 2015. Madison, Wisconsin. 7.
  5. Web site: Belize Credit Unions History. Belize Credit Union League. 9 September 2015. Belize City, Belize.
  6. Web site: Credit Union Pioneer and Stalwart awarded Honorary Doctorate. Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions. 9 September 2015. Fortlands, Basseterre, St. Kitts. 24 September 2013. 1 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170101003828/http://www.caribccu.coop/news/362-credit-union-pioneer-and-stalwart-awarded-honorary-doctorate. dead.
  7. News: Sanchez. Jose. Miss Jane honoured by Business Bureau. 9 September 2015. Channel 5 Belize. 7 March 2001. Belize City, Belize.
  8. News: Ciego. Albert J.. Galen University honors Mrs. Jane Usher of HRCU. 8 September 2015. Amandala. 30 August 2013. Belize City, Belize.
  9. Web site: Past Presidents of the Senate. National Assembly of Belize. 9 September 2015. Belize City, Belize. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150916203359/http://www.nationalassembly.gov.bz/index.php/senate-upperhouse/past-presidents-senate. 16 September 2015.
  10. News: Holy Redeemer Credit Union Coffers are overflowing. 9 September 2015. The Guardian. 3 May 2012. Belize City, Belize. https://web.archive.org/web/20161001180031/http://guardian.bz/archives/4711-holy-redeemer-credit-union-coffers-are-overflowing. 1 October 2016. dead.
  11. Web site: Dr. Jane Usher celebrates a century. 5 September 2017.
  12. News: Stateswoman, Jane Usher, to be laid to rest today . 18 December 2018 . . 18 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181218211009/https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2018/12/18/stateswoman-jane-usher-to-be-laid-to-rest-today/ . 18 December 2018 . San Ignacio, Belize.
  13. Web site: Former Parliamentarian turns 100 - Love FM Belize . 28 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190828153623/https://www.lovefm.com/former-parliamentarian-turns-100/ . 2019-08-28 .