Lawyer-in-waiting fulfils late dad’s prediction

Although Shudeen Ramsay's father is not alive to witness her crowning moment of becoming an attorney-at-law, she is content that he witnessed part of her journey to actualising her childhood dream.

Her father, Richard, passed away on December 3, 2023, while Ramsey was preparing for the Bar examinations. It was a bittersweet moment when her name was published on the Norman Manley Law School's pass list.

"It is devastating because when I was not successful on my first try, he was the one who consoled me and told me not to worry and that I should still be proud of all I have done and accomplished. I'm extremely emotional because I also didn't get much time to grieve his death, and he was really looking forward to my graduation. He was already bragging to all of St Thomas about his lawyer daughter. He never got to see the final part of my becoming [a lawyer] but he had absolutely no doubt. He already declared it done," she said.

Ramsey is a native of Georgia district, Trinityville in St Thomas, who desired to pursue a legal career in order to uplift herself from a life of poverty.

"I'm really intrinsically motivated as well as [I have] the dream to defeat poverty for myself and immediate family. I'm also heavily driven by passion because I'm a nation builder," she explained. But her journey was fraught with challenges, as she knew her parents were not financially stable to finance her tuition, which was well more than $1 million a year.

"I actually applied for 13 scholarships and grants upon entering university. I received the Mona Law Bursary and JAMVAT Scholarship, for the first year coupled with student loan. Then in second year all the way through to completion, I received full scholarship for the Ministry of Education's scholarship grant," the Immaculate Conception High graduate said.

ENTREPRENEUR JOURNEY

Since then, the attorney-in-waiting has worked assiduously in operating her own business, Ramsay's Help Desk, and as a realtor.

"I'm immensely grateful to God because throughout the entire process, God was the only person that brought me peace. I couldn't have done it without my faith in God and assistance and support from my friends." She expressed satisfaction that her father died knowing in his heart that she was becoming an attorney. Ramsey also thanked her mother "who I promised I was going to take out of poverty from a very tender age".

As Ramsey awaits her formal induction into the legal profession to certify accomplishing a lifelong dream, she is encouraging other hopefuls to remain diligent and dedicated to their goals.

"Believe in the powers of the Lord coupled with your own hard work. Work hard and remain as focused as possible towards your goals. If you don't have a dream or know where you want to go in life, then you won't know which road to take," she said. "At least start walking. At least you would have started the journey, and even if you don't go to your initial destination, at least you'll be already on the way to your other destination."