The book signing event for “A Girl from Montego Bay” at the Jamaican Consulate General attracted numerous international friends of various backgrounds from New York. Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Brian Christopher Manley Wallace, and the Consul General each delivered speeches during the event. Many attendees enthusiastically asked questions, all of which Bishop Rose answered to their satisfaction.

The event concluded with a live steel drum and guitar performance by two Jamaican artists. The CEO of Celebrity Media and her assistant were invited to attend the event.

This book is not merely a personal memoir but a “guide to life.” With plain yet powerful language, Bishop Rose reflects on her extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in Jamaica to becoming the first Black female bishop in the Church of England. Her story contains both the laughter under the sun and the pain in the shadows—“no hugs or affirmations, only beatings for the slightest wrong”—a part of her childhood memory. Yet she chose not to let pain define her, but to give it new meaning, turning it into a driving force upward.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” This quote, once placed on her desk during her student years, has now become the clearest annotation of her life. She has lifted her life through faith, illuminated others with leadership, and pioneered her own path with perseverance.

From an international perspective, this journey carries multiple symbolic meanings.
Against the backdrop of global migration and multiculturalism, Bishop Rose’s story is a cross-border spiritual testimony—it originates from a Caribbean island nation, yet bloomed at the highest level of the Church of England, and continues to resonate on the urban stages of the United States. For a diverse, multi-ethnic city like New York, this is not just the personal achievement of a Jamaican-born woman, but also a microcosm of how immigrant communities integrate into the mainstream and influence the world through education, faith, and public service.

We believe this tour is not just a literary promotion but a relay of spirit. Bishop Rose uses the proceeds from her book signings to provide scholarships for students at Montego Bay High School for Girls in Jamaica—her heartfelt gift to her alma mater and a sincere entrustment to the next generation of girls. Her message is clear: your origins may be humble, your starting point may be low, but you can choose to aim high.

This gesture also reflects another aspect of the global diaspora—that no matter where one lives, the identity with one’s roots and the sense of responsibility to give back to one’s homeland remain deeply rooted. From Chinese expatriates to Caribbean immigrants, from African heritage communities to Eastern European families, this pattern of transoceanic giving continues and resonates across cultures.

Perhaps, as Bishop Rose says, her story “may not be anything special.” Yet it is precisely the determination and courage behind this humility that makes “A Girl from Montego Bay” not just a book but also a mirror—reflecting each of us who choose to keep moving forward despite adversity, and reminding the world that the footprints from faraway shores will ultimately leave a shining mark on the global stage.

Rose Hudson-Wilkin: The First Black Female Bishop in the Church of England – Early Background and Call to Faith* She was born on January 19, 1961, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was raised by her father and aunt. Her childhood was marked by poverty and a lack of physical affection but was deeply nurtured by religious faith. At the age of 14, she felt God’s calling and committed herself to church service.

In 1982, she went to the UK to study at the Church Army College and later took monastic courses at a part-time theological seminary. She was ordained as a deacon in 1991 and became one of the first female priests in the Church of England in 1994. Serving for 16 and a half years in the Hackney area of London, she was deeply involved in pastoral work in the inner-city community and actively participated in organizations addressing racism within the Church.

In 2007, she was appointed Chaplain to the Queen, becoming the first Black woman to hold this position. In 2010, she became the first female Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons (79th), leading parliamentary worship and providing pastoral care. Consecrated as Bishop: In June 2019, she was announced as the Suffragan Bishop of Dover, becoming the first Black female bishop in the history of the Church of England. She was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury at St Paul’s Cathedral on November 19, 2019, and formally installed at Canterbury Cathedral on November 30, 2019.

Since then, she has served as the “Bishop in Canterbury” representing the Archbishop of Canterbury, playing an important leadership role in diocesan administration and pastoral affairs. Social and Faith Voice: Bishop Rose is known for speaking boldly on social issues. She criticized the stigmatization of the term “woke,” stressing its origins and significance in combating racial injustice, and called on the Church to genuinely implement anti-racism action plans.

As a bishop with an immigrant background and as a woman, she has taken public stances on social issues such as refugees, sexual abuse, and racial prejudice, asserting that the Church must be a leading voice for justice while opposing simplistic “trial by media” approaches.

Honors and Influence: In 2020, she was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to young people and the Church; in 2019, she received the Jamaican Government’s Order of Distinction; and she has twice been listed among the UK’s most influential people of African/Caribbean descent.

She has participated in British royal ceremonies, including the 2023 coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, being one of the few female bishops to take part. Warm yet resolute in public image, she has appeared on “BBC Desert Island Discs,” inspiring countless listeners.