Verma Panton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Verma Panton
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| Born |
Verma Wevlyn Panton
17 April 1936 St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
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| Died | 18 January 2015 (aged 78) Jamaica
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| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Occupation | architect |
| Years active | 1964–2015 |
| Known for | first female architect of the Anglo-Caribbean and Jamaica |
Verma Wevlyn Panton (born April 17, 1936 – died January 18, 2015) was a famous Jamaican architect. She made history as the very first female architect in the Anglo-Caribbean region.
Early Life and Education
Verma Panton was born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, on April 17, 1936. Her parents were Laura Louise and Vernon George Panton. She had two sisters, Faith and Sheila, and one brother, Cedrick.
Verma went to Claremont Primary School. Later, she attended Carvalho’s High School and Ardenne High School in Jamaica. After finishing high school, she worked for a few years. From 1956 to 1958, she was an Assistant Land Surveyor.
In 1958, Verma won a special government scholarship. This scholarship helped her continue her education. She then went to McGill University School of Architecture in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She studied hard and graduated as an architect. She was the first woman to do so in both Jamaica and the West Indies.
Career as an Architect
After finishing her studies, Verma Panton returned to Jamaica in 1964. She started working as a Project Architect for the Ministry of Education. She held this important role until 1968.
In 1968, she joined a well-known firm called McMorris, Sibley, Robinson (MSR). She became an Associate Partner there. She helped organize a big conference for architects in 1974. This was the Pan American Federation of Architects Conference.
Verma left MSR in 1982. She then became a Partner and Director at the Landmark Development Company. She worked there for two years. In 1984, she decided to open her own architecture business.
She was also one of the people who helped create the Jamaican Architects Registration Board in 1987. This board helps make sure architects are properly registered. She served in many leadership roles on this board.
Awards and Recognition
Verma Panton received many awards for her excellent work. In 1967, she earned an Honourable Mention in a Low Income Housing Design Competition. This competition was sponsored by Wood Preservation Co. Ltd. She also received another Honourable Mention in a similar competition in 1973. That one was sponsored by Redimix Concrete Ltd.
In 1985, she was given a special Certificate of Recognition. This award honored her as a "Pioneer Woman in Architecture." It also recognized her "Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Architecture." The Jamaican Institute of Architects also honored her. In 1987, they recognized her 20 years of dedicated service to the field.
Verma Panton passed away on January 18, 2015, in Jamaica.
Notable Projects
Verma Panton worked on many important buildings and projects. Here are some of her well-known works:
- The Community Center in Gordon Town, Jamaica.
- The Workers Bank Building in Constant Spring, Jamaica.
- The Botany Building at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica.
- The Desmond Mair Insurance Building on Knutsford Blvd., Kingston, Jamaica.
- The restoration of the Old Half Way Tree Courthouse.
