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Female trailblazers from Jamaica

As Jamaica joins the world in celebrating International Women's Day today, have a look at some of the Jamaican women who have blazed a trail of glory.

Portia Simpson Miller became Jamaica's first female prime minister in March 2006.

Shelly-Ann Fraser , first Jamaican woman to win Olympic 100m title: Beijing, China, 2008.

Veronica Campbell , first Caribbean athlete to retain an Olympic sprint title: Beijing, China, 2008.

Mary Seacole , famous for valiant work as nurse during Crimean War in mid-1800s.

Louise Bennett-Coverley elevated Patois from the margins to the ranks of serious poetry.

Paula Llewellyn became Jamaica's first female director of public prosecutions in 2008.

Zaila McCalla , first female chief justice in the island's history: June 27, 2007.

Audrey Marks , first female head of the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica.

Dr Cicely Williams led pioneering work in the field of maternal health not only in Jamaica, but in Africa and Asia.

Pansy Johnson becomes first Jamaican and first woman to be appointed general manager of a local bauxite operation, 2009.

Onika Miller became the youngest-ever permanent secretary in the history of Jamaica, November 2009.

Deon Hemmings , first Jamaican woman to win an individual Olympic title, at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

Athlete Rachel Christie , of Jamaican ancestry, is crowned the first black Miss England, July 2009.

Carol Joan Crawford , first Jamaican to become Miss World, 1963

Jevene Bent becomes first female deputy commissioner of police, May 1, 2003.

Althea Laing , first Jamaican woman to grace the cover of an international magazine, Essence .

Dr Olive Lewin founded the Jamaica Folk Singers over four decades ago.

Ionie Ramsay-Nelson was Jamaica's first female motorcycle cop.

Molly Rhone , first and only Jamaican female to head an international sporting body, the Interna-tional Federation of Netball Associations, in 2003.

Zahra Redwood , first Rastafarian to win a local beauty pageant, Miss Jamaica Universe, in 2007.

Margaret Campbell , first woman principal of the then all-boy high school, St George's College.

Diane Abbott , born to Jamaican immigrants, becomes first black woman MP in the UK House of Commons, 1987.

Iris Collins , first woman elected MP in Jamaica.

Doreen Frankson , first female president of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association.

Jody-Anne Maxwell , first Jamaican and only non-American (excluding US-ruled Puerto Rico) to win Scripps National Spelling Bee in 1998.

Cameal Davis , first woman to win the 'Digicel Rising Stars' talent show.

Carmen Parris , first female ambassador of Jamaica in 1975.

Audrey Hinchcliffe , first female president of Jamaica Employers' Federation.

Nanny of the Maroons, only woman among official national heroes.

The Rev Jennifer Brown is elected first black global president of Nazarene Missions International, Church of the Nazarene, June 26, 2009.

The Rev Dr Marjorie Angela Lewis is set to become first female president at United Theological College of the West Indies on August 1, 2010.