“The true measure of a life well lived is not in the titles one holds, but in the lives one touches and the legacy one leaves behind.”

Introduction

The story of Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom is one that weaves together courage, perseverance, and an unyielding belief in the power of knowledge to transform lives. Born on October 19, 1953, in Guyana, she entered a world where women’s opportunities were limited, especially in male-dominated spaces. Yet from the very beginning, Jessie demonstrated a spirit of resilience, charting a path that would not only define her own future but also inspire generations to come.

She was the daughter of Frederick Aldwyn Jones and Myrthleen Helena Jones, two individuals whose example left an indelible mark on her life. Her mother, an ardent community developer, instilled in her the values of service, compassion, and empowerment—values that Jessie later embodied in her founding of The Excelsior Academy, a living continuation of her mother’s vision. Her father’s quiet discipline and strength gave her the resilience to withstand challenges and the courage to pursue paths few women dared to tread. Together, they gave her more than life; they gave her direction, values, and purpose.

Jessie’s professional journey began in the Guyana Defence Force in 1976, where she enlisted as a soldier and typist. Over the course of eighteen years, she rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force. She eventually retired in 1994 from the Guyana Coast Guard in the rank of Senior Petty Officer, a remarkable achievement in an era when female representation in military service was scarce. The Army became her crucible, shaping her character with lessons of duty, precision, and leadership. Her service was recognized with the Military Efficiency Medal, 25th Anniversary Medal, 40th Anniversary Medal, and Female Soldiers 50th Anniversary Medal, but the real reward was the resilience and discipline that became the bedrock of her later pursuits.

Even while in uniform, Jessie’s ambitions extended beyond military service. She pursued education with a relentless drive, beginning with shorthand, typewriting, and English certifications in the 1970s. Her historic achievement came in 1985, when she became the first member of the army to graduate with a Diploma in Secretarial Science, earning the Best Graduating Student award. This milestone shattered barriers and set the tone for her lifelong pursuit of excellence.

Education soon became not only her passion but her mission. Over the decades, she completed a Diploma and Degree in Public Management, an International Master of Business Administration (2018), a Doctorate in Business Administration with specialization in Climate Change (2021), and most recently, a Post-Doctorate in Renewable and Sustainable Energy (2023)—graduating with distinction. Her academic journey, pursued at times when many would have slowed down or retired, is a testament to her belief that learning never ends and growth is always possible.

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”

Phase 1: Foundations and Early Life

The earliest chapters of Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom’s life reveal the foundation upon which her extraordinary journey was built. Born on October 19, 1953, in Guyana, Jessie entered a world where resilience was not merely a choice but a necessity. Her parents, Frederick Aldwyn Jones and Myrthleen Helena Jones, were not people of material wealth or privilege, but they possessed something far greater—unshakable conviction, discipline, and faith. Their lives were centered on integrity, hard work, and service, values that became the cornerstones of Jessie’s own character.

Her mother, Myrthleen Helena Jones, was an ardent community developer, guided by the vision that true empowerment begins at the grassroots level. She saw education not simply as an academic pursuit but as a transformative tool capable of reshaping lives, families, and communities. Jessie grew up watching her mother create opportunities in places where none seemed to exist, whether through teaching, mentoring, or mobilizing community support. This left an indelible impression on Jessie, who later carried forward that torch of service in the founding of The Excelsior Academy. The Academy became both a tribute to her mother’s dream and Jessie’s own commitment to ensuring that education would remain a force for empowerment.

Her father, Frederick Aldwyn Jones, played a quieter but equally profound role. His guidance, strength, and discipline gave Jessie a firm foundation. In a society where daughters were often expected to walk within narrow boundaries, his support gave her the confidence to chart her own path—one that would eventually take her from classrooms to military barracks, and later, to international academic halls. His emphasis on responsibility and resilience prepared her to face the many trials that life would later present.

Growing up in Guyana during the mid-20th century was not without its difficulties. The nation, still navigating its colonial past, offered limited opportunities—particularly for young women. Yet instead of becoming barriers, these limitations became training grounds for Jessie’s resilience. She quickly learned that if doors were not opened for her, she would need to carve her own. This grit and determination became defining traits that would accompany her into every chapter of her life.

Her early education reflected her natural curiosity and determination. She pursued secretarial sciences at a time when shorthand, typewriting, and English were considered practical skills for upward mobility. Through the 1970s, she excelled in Pitman shorthand courses, earning passes, first-class results, and gold and silver stars. While others might have dismissed these as modest achievements, Jessie recognized them as stepping stones. Each certificate was proof that discipline and persistence could carry her beyond the limitations of her environment.

“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”

Phase 2 : Service in the Guyana Defence Force

The second great chapter of Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom’s life began with a bold and history-making choice: her decision to join the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in 1976. At a time when military service was largely considered the domain of men, Jessie stepped forward with conviction. For many, the Guyana Defence Force symbolized discipline, physical hardship, and unrelenting sacrifice. For Jessie, it represented something more profound—an opportunity to serve her nation, to test her resilience, and to shape her future through discipline and duty.

She entered the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as a typist, a seemingly modest role. Yet even here, her exceptional command of shorthand, typewriting, and English, sharpened through the rigorous Pitman examinations of the 1970s, set her apart. Her precision, efficiency, and reliability quickly caught the attention of her superiors. What began as clerical work soon became the foundation for a career that would span eighteen years and redefine what was possible for women in the GDF.

Over the course of nearly two decades, Jessie rose steadily through the ranks. She refused to remain confined to the boundaries of her initial role, pushing herself constantly to learn, grow, and contribute more. Her persistence earned her promotions, and in time, she achieved the rank of Senior Petty Officer in the Coast Guard—one of the most demanding and respected divisions of the Guyana Coast Guard. This accomplishment was not only a personal victory but also a breakthrough for women at a time when female representation in the military was minimal.

Life in uniform was not easy. Early mornings, rigorous drills, strict discipline, and grueling duties defined her everyday existence. The demands were physical, mental, and emotional. But Jessie did not see these as obstacles. Instead, she treated them as opportunities to strengthen her character. Every drill, every inspection, and every challenge became a lesson in resilience, endurance, and focus. Where others faltered, she drew on the values her parents had instilled in her: integrity, faith, and service.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Phase 3 : The Transition to Education

After nearly two decades of loyal service in the Guyana Defence Force, where she rose to the rank of Senior Petty Officer in the Guyana Coast Guard, Dr Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom stood at a crossroads. For many, retirement from military life marked the end of a journey. For Jessie, it was only the beginning of a new chapter—one in which the battlefield was not the parade ground but the classroom, where ignorance and limitation were the adversaries and knowledge was the more powerful weapon.

This transition was not accidental. During her years in uniform, Jessie had already displayed a natural gift for teaching. Whether it was training her colleagues in shorthand, typewriting, or clerical skills, or guiding younger recruits, she was drawn to the role of mentor and instructor. She discovered immense satisfaction in sharing knowledge, in seeing others rise, and in multiplying skills across her peers. These experiences revealed her true calling: education was not just a profession she could pursue—it was her mission.

Determined to prepare herself fully for this path, Jessie pursued higher education with the same discipline she had carried in the army. She enrolled in the Diploma in Secretarial Science program in the early 1980s. Balancing the rigors of military life with academic study, she excelled, and in 1985 she graduated as the Best Graduating Student, becoming the first person from the Army to achieve this milestone. This was no ordinary achievement—it was a historic breakthrough. For the military community, it proved that soldiers could also excel as scholars. For women, it shattered stereotypes about their limitations. And for Jessie herself, it was the confirmation that education would be her next great battlefield.

Her academic journey did not stop there. She went on to earn a Diploma and later a Degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana, broadening her knowledge from secretarial sciences into administration and governance. 

Note of Thanks

As this biography draws to its close, it is important to pause and recognize that no great journey is ever walked alone. Though the pages of this book recount the life and legacy of Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom, the truth is that her story is a collective one—woven by the love of family, the trust of colleagues, the guidance of mentors, the inspiration of students, and above all, the grace of God.

She first gives thanks to her parents, Frederick Aldwin Jones and Myrthleen Helena Jones, whose teachings on integrity, resilience, and service became the foundation of her life. Her father’s steady wisdom and her mother’s tireless devotion to community development continue to echo in her every achievement. It was their sacrifices that made possible the woman she became.

Her gratitude extends deeply to the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Coast Guard, where she spent eighteen transformative years. Rising to the rank of Senior Petty Officer, Jessie’s medals and recognition are shared with the comrades who trained with her, the mentors who believed in her, and the colleagues who marched beside her in service of country.

She also expresses heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat, where she was trusted with some of the highest responsibilities of governance and administration. She is especially thankful to Dr. Roger Luncheon and others who gave her the opportunity to serve in the Office of the President—roles that sharpened her discipline and expanded her vision of leadership.

Her academic journey would not have been possible without the institutions that guided her path—the University of Guyana, the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business (University of the West Indies), and Atlantic International University. To the professors, supervisors, and colleagues who challenged and encouraged her, she offers humble thanks. Each institution and every teacher became a stepping stone to her extraordinary academic accomplishments.

Dr. Jessie extends profound appreciation to her students across the Government Technical Institute, Linden Technical Institute, and the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education. They were never just learners; they were co-travelers on a shared journey of discovery. Their determination fueled her passion, and their growth became her greatest reward.

She is equally thankful to her communities—from the Empowering Young Women on the Move initiative (2008) to the financial literacy training programs in 2023. To the parents, volunteers, and community leaders who embraced her work with The Excelsior Academy, she offers deep gratitude. Without their faith, her mother’s legacy of grassroots empowerment could not have been carried forward.

Acknowledgment is also due to the many professional associations and networks that enriched her journey—the Guyana Veterans Legion, the Farmers Association of Guyana, the Community Policing Group, and the Guyana Arts and Crafts Association. These organizations gave her platforms to remain engaged, to share, and to continue contributing to national and community growth.

Above all, Dr. Jessie lifts her deepest gratitude to God, whose hand has guided her through every season. Faith was her anchor in trials, her strength in moments of weakness, and her light in times of doubt. Every milestone, every recognition, and every achievement is, in her words, “nothing without the grace of God.”

Finally, to all those whose names may not appear here but whose encouragement, prayers, and kindness shaped her journey—Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom offers her heartfelt thanks. For indeed, her life has been a shared work of love, discipline, and belief.

This Note of Thanks is, therefore, more than an acknowledgment. It is a reminder that her story is not hers alone—it belongs to every parent who sacrificed, every mentor who guided, every student who learned, every colleague who collaborated, and every soul who believed.

Thank You
– Dr. Jessie Albertha Jones-Thom