Leila Ross-Shier
Leila Elberta Ross-Shier (born McTaggart 16 November 1886 - 26 September 1968) was a musician, educator and composer from the Cayman Islands. Ross-Shier wrote the national song of the Cayman Islands, "Beloved Isle Cayman".
Biography
[edit]Ross-Shier was born on November 16, 1886, in Grand Cayman.[1] She worked as an educator, librarian and was an official Registrar of Births and Deaths.[2] She encouraged all high school students to read, no matter the color of their skin, despite the norm of segregation at the time.[2]
Ross-Shier wrote "Beloved Isle Cayman" in 1930.[3] She also wrote hymns and ballads, organized concerts and was a church organist.[2]
Ross-Shier was one of the signers of a petition that led to granting women's suffrage in the Cayman Islands in 1959.[2]
Ross-Shier died on September 26, 1968, in Grand Cayman.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Wilcox, Georgina (22 October 2013). "Leila Elberta Ross-Shier composer of National Song remembered". Cayman iNews. Archived from the original on 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
- ^ a b c d Winker, Carol (27 September 2018). "Singing the praises of National Song composer". The Cayman Compass. Archived from the original on 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
- ^ "National Song". Cayman Island Government. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.