Leila Ross-Shier

Leila Elberta Ross-Shier (born McTaggart; 16 November 1886 – 26 September 1968) was a musician, educator and composer from the Cayman Islands. Ross-Shier wrote the national song of the Cayman Islands, "Beloved Isle Cayman".

Biography

Ross-Shier was born on November 16, 1886, in Grand Cayman.^[1] She worked as an educator, librarian and was an official Registrar of Births and Deaths.^[2] She encouraged all high school students to read, no matter the color of their skin, despite the norm of segregation at the time.^[2]

Ross-Shier wrote "Beloved Isle Cayman" in 1930.^[3] She also wrote hymns and ballads, organized concerts and was a church organist.^[2]

Ross-Shier was one of the signers of a petition that led to granting women's suffrage in the Cayman Islands in 1959.^[2]

Ross-Shier died on September 26, 1968, in Grand Cayman.^[1]