Edith C. Clarke

Edith Clarke (1896–1979)

A Jamaican social worker and legislator who some consider a noted anthropologist.

Edith was born 1896 in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Jamaica, the granddaughter of Henry Clarke (MHR) and daughter of Hugh Clarke, Custos of the parish.

She was educated at Abbey School, Malvern, UK, and University College, London (1921-1923) and obtained a Diploma of Anthropology at the London School of Economics (1926-1931) studying under Bronislaw Kasper Malinowski.

This led to her undertaking anthropological work and studies in Africa between 1932 and 1933.

In 1936 Edith returned to Jamaica and joined the local civil service, accepting the appointment as Secretary of the Board of Supervision for the next decade or so (1936-1948). Whilst there she prepared information on social conditions in Jamaica for the West India Royal Commission of Enquiry (1938).

After three more years as Assistant Secretary, Secretariat (1948-1951) she became Director or Jamaica Welfare Ltd and retired from the civil service (1951).

Within the next decade she was appointed first female member of the Jamaican Legislative Council (1958) and was able to put forward a motion in the Legislative Council to amend the Law for the Registration of Births to make the registration of the father's name in Jamaica compulsory (1958). Edith also participated in a United States Information Service (USIS) sponsored tour of the USA in 1962.

Edith was a tireless woman and continued to have many roles including as Fellow of the Royal African Institute, Vice-Chairman of the Central Managing Committee's 4-H Clubs (for the prevention of tuberculosis), Chairman of the Child Welfare Association and the Honorary Secretary of the King George V Tuberculosis Hospital.

She held memberships to many causes:

• Anti-Tuberculosis League
  
• Committee on Illegitimacy and Concubinage
  
• Central Council of Voluntary Services
  
• Jamaica Youth Organisation Committee
  
• Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

She died in 1979 aged 83.