Older Persons Month ambassadors named

As part of the Older Persons Month activities in October, two residents have been recognised as Older Persons Month Ambassadors: Dorothy Davis from Grand Cayman and Suzanne Rondon from Cayman Brac.

The pair were named during a church service that took place at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on 4 Oct. Davis received the award that day while Rondon will receive hers later in the month.

Both ambassadors were recognised for their contributions to the community and their commitment to supporting older persons.

Dorothy Davis

Originally from George Town, Davis has worked across a large range of sectors throughout her professional career including the civil service, tourism, legal and corporate management. She spent 27 years in corporate services and new business and onboarding roles before retiring in 2021.

Davis has also served on the boards of several non-profit organisations. She has held numerous leadership roles including president with the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens, board member and secretary of the Cayman AIDS Foundation and is a founding member of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association, where she remains actively involved. She is also a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Her civic contributions include serving on government boards and tribunals. She is a founding member and past chair of the Cayman Islands Independent Monitoring Board and is a Justice of the Peace.

Suzanne Rondon

Rondon, a Cayman Brac native, is a devoted Christian, mother of three daughters and grandmother of nine. Throughout her career she has served as a role model to many.

Born to the late Layman and Alvertia Ebanks, Rondon was raised by her grandmother, Grace Scott, a well-known seamstress. She attended West End Primary School and was among the first students to attend the Secondary Modern School, which opened in 1966 and later became Layman Scott High School.

Rondon first learned dressmaking at age 13 but she later became the first Caymanian woman to work as a truck driver in the Public Works Department.

After relocating to Grand Cayman, she continued her career in truck driving and later joined the civil service in January 1995. She served in the general registry and the shipping registry before moving into human resources where she continues to serve as a part-time independent contractor.

In 2022, Rondon returned to Cayman Brac and is an active member of the Sew and Sew Club, helping to create handmade blankets, shawls, hates and other items for seniors, hospital patients and individuals in need. She also serves on the committee for older persons in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman advocating for meaningful activities, social engagement and improved support for seniors.

Selection process

Each year, the Older Persons Month Ambassadors are selected to recognise individuals 65 years and older who have made a substantial and lasting impact at the community, district or national level.

Chairperson of the Older Persons Month committee, Cassandra Fearon, said, “We appreciate the contributions and achievements of our Older Persons Month Ambassadors and continue recognising the valuable role older persons play in our communities.”

Older Persons Month activities continue throughout the rest of October under the theme, “Honouring our Older Persons through Action and Protection.”