The Gods Smiled

Born in a remote corner of Jamaica in 1940, Shirley Baker travelled to London with her mother as a second-class passenger on the SS Irpinia in 1956. She attended a comprehensive school as the only black pupil amongst 2,000 children. Shirley's story is about a journey of overcoming many obstacles in education, careers, her personal life, and as a single working parent after a bitter divorce. At the heart of her story is the ability to survive with the help of family and friends. Through travelling and research, Shirley learned about her Jamaican cultural background. Eventually, she emerged as a woman of strength and settled contentedly in a place she loves, to enjoy life with her dual cultural identity.