Louise Bennett Coverley, 'Miss Lou', has for decades represented the 'face' of Jamaican culture, the essence of what it is to be Jamaican. As a poet, performer, storyteller, singer, actress, writer, broadcaster, folklore scholar and children's television show host, she won hearts and souls for Jamaica with her humorous yet compelling performances worldwide. It is Miss Lou, more than any other figure in Jamaica's history, who showed that the language spoken by most Jamaicans - patois or Jamaican Creole - is worthy of respect.