Jamaica's culture, gender, entertainment and sports minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange lays a wreath on the grave of Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley on the occasion of what would have been the poet's 103rd birthday, September 7, 2022. Photo courtesy the National Library of Jamaica, used with permission. The name and titles of Jamaica's beloved poet — Dr. The Hon. Louise Simone Bennett-Coverley, OM, OJ, MBE, Hon. D. Litt. — sound very grand, but to Jamaicans, she was, and always will be, simply “Miss Lou,” who spoke to them in their own language: Jamaican Patois (Patwa). No surprise then, that on September 7, 2022, which would have been Miss Lou’s 103rd birthday, Jamaicans reacted with delight and appreciation when Google Doodles shared: Louise Bennett-Coverley, also known as Miss Lou, was one of the first people to use Jamaican patois as a means for artistic expression. Learn how the beloved Jamaican poet, performer & activist empowered her country to take pride in its unique language —> https://t.co/WnZtFx7Nql pic.twitter.com/hSd9XrRrpj — Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) September 7, 2022 The illustration of Jamaica’s cultural icon reflects Miss Lou's humour, energy, and embrace of Jamaica’s oral tradition. She is depicted sitting under a tree, telling stories to three children who are paying rapt attention, while a Patoo the owl sits on a branch and Anancy, the spider, leans against the tree trunk, listening in. It is a reference to the Anancy story “Anancy and Patoo” – one of the many folktales that the poet, storyteller and actor used to tell. A well-known character in Jamaican folklore, Anancy (also spelt Anansi in some parts of the Caribbean) is a greedy opportunist and trickster, with his origins in the Akan culture of West Africa. As with many other tales, poems and songs, Miss Lou’s inimitable style brought Anancy to life for Jamaicans of all ages, especially children. Robyn Smith, the artist who created the Doodle, was thrilled when she was approached about working on it: I screamed. I was just so excited about getting to work with Google, but then on top of that to have it be about a Jamaican subject, and that subject being Miss Lou, I was washed with pride for Jamaica. Smith shared on Twitter: Happy 103rd Birthday to the Honourable miss Louise Bennett-Coverley🖤 It was such an honour to draw her for Today’s google doodle (in Jamaica)! pic.twitter.com/nAS11bGAe6 — Robyn Smith @ SPX K9 (@RoBroSmo) September 7, 2022 The Google Doodle gave a boost to the Jamaican Government’s focus on Miss Lou during the month of September. A full calendar of events is underway in several parts of the island. On her birthday, the University of the West Indies unveiled a bust, opened a Miss Lou exhibit and launched the 20th anniversary celebrations of its Language Unit, which focuses on promoting Jamaican Patwa and works to dispel lingering discrimination on the grounds of language. The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange tweeted from a wreath-laying at Miss Lou's grave in National Heroes Circle: In bright sunshine today, Miss Lou Day, we commemorated at National Heroes Park, the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Dr the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley with Floral Tributes. pic.twitter.com/3Nc9v3I2mi — Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport (@MCGESJamaica) September 7, 2022 On the evening of her birthday via Facebook Live, Jamaican creatives participated in a lengthy tribute. Meanwhile, on Twitter, this young brother and sister duo put in a performance: Young dub poets Ngozi & Tafari Wright honour famed Jamaican folklorist and poet, Miss Lou on the 103rd anniversary of her birth with a performance of the cultural icon's poem ‘New Scholar’. The tribute was done in front of Miss Lou's statue in Gordon Town, St Andrew.