Tamara Greene proudly confessed that from her days at Hampton High School in Malvern, she always wanted to be a lawyer. Even at that early age she did not keep her dreams to herself, but shared it with her parents, the Rev. Sylvester Greene, and educator Beverley Greene.

Speaking in an extensive interview with the Gleaner, Miss Greene said that she intends to make the best of her profession, using it to defend the human rights of her fellow men. She said she always had a fascination with law and saw it as a means of providing service to persons who require justice, either through a criminal, or civil sitting.

"I did not go into law because I wanted to go in the court room and integrate people, but I have always had a passion for a career in the legal profession. My life, while studying and growing up, was a real success story and I am happy for the strides that I have been able to make over the years," Miss Greene said.

While her educational journey has been a long one, the former Hampton Deputy Head Girl explained to the Gleaner that there was no intention of giving up. The challenge, however, started for her between 1988 and 1995 when she spent seven years at her alma mater. Between 1996 and 1999, she acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Between 1999 and 2001, she took a break from studying. She told the Gleaner that during that break, she taught History and Social Studies at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STEHS).

"I thought about it for a while whether to do a law degree or to do my Masters, but it's like the law thing was in my blood. So between 2001 and 2004, I did my law degree at UWI, Mona, as well as Cayville, Barbados. Studying in Barbados, was a great experience, despite the fact that I was in a different country," the bright and talented young lawyer said.

However, prior to her graduation in September 2006, as a demonstration that she is a woman in charge, Miss Greene had already secured at job with Cecil Roy July, attorney-at-law, at his law office in Black River. "During that time, I was going to the courtroom, where I gained a great deal of experiences from that internship period.

"I was very elated when I received the information that I had been called to the bar. It was like Greene getting the green light to go forward," she said.

And how does she feel about her family? "Well, my mom, who is a teacher, and my father, who is a minister of religion, have been a positive source of inspiration to me. My mother did a lot of side jobs to ensure my education. I have a lot to give thanks for my mom and dad," she admitted.

"I should tell you that in the quest to give back to my community, I also find time to teach Law Unit One one hour per day, from Mondays to Thursdays at the Black River High school," she added.

Commenting on her daughter's journey to academic success, Mrs. Greene, who is currently one of the vice-principals at the Black River High school, said that the decision to do law was purely Tamara's. She said that from very early, she realized that her daughter had a particular interest in law, and she offered her support to the best of her ability.

"In my dedication to support her I did a lot of side jobs, which included seasonal baking of buns, fruit cakes, rock buns, among other products to assist with my daughter's school fees. Sending her through Hampton, the UWI, and studies in Barbados wasn't easy," she said, adding that, all that she did and the sacrifice she and her husband made for Tamara, have paid off.

Tamara passed her Common Entrance exam from as early as age 10. “From then, Mrs. Greene said, "we knew that she was a gifted child and that we had to do everything in our powers to make it possible for to realize her ultimate dreams. Truly we are very proud of her."  

Miss Greene said that in the near future, she would establish her own private practice. She added that she also finds time for gardening and teaching a Sunday school class at the Sellington Baptist Church.