By Martine St. Hilaire + Photos by Mackinley Madhere
Josette St. Hilaire-Georges, known as Lady Georges, is an inspiring figure who radiates Haitian pride wherever she goes. Born in Port-au-Prince and now residing in Florida, Josette is a woman of many talents and a passionate advocate for her homeland. As the cover winner of Haiti Open Magazine’s 2024 Hot 100 contest, her story is one of resilience, hope, and steadfast dedication to promoting Haiti’s rich culture and potential.
The young Josette was deeply influenced by her parents, who came from the Haitian countryside with scant means but were determined to provide their daughters with a better life and a quality education. “My parents believed that you don’t need much to start, but you should aim high,” Josette says. She says her parents’ perseverance drove her to succeed. Growing up with a front-row seat to her parents’ struggles and triumphs, she learned the importance of hard work, community, and perseverance — values she holds dear at work and home.
“My parents believed that you don’t need much to start, but you should aim high.”
Professionally, Josette is a licensed respiratory therapist, a role she finds incredibly rewarding. She helps patients, from premature infants to elderly individuals, deal with respiratory challenges. “I love what I do, and it doesn’t hold me back from other endeavors,” she says, referring to her passion for travel, fashion, and community service. As a respiratory therapist, she treats patients and educates them on how to manage their conditions, empowering them to take control of their health.
But Josette’s ambitions stretch far beyond her profession. She’s also the CEO of A Deux, a business that offers romantic dinners for couples, and a travel companion for elderly Haitian couples who ensures they can enjoy vacations they might not otherwise be able to experience. Josette’s love for travel and infectious positivity infuse all her endeavors and have earned her a reputation as a “style smile influencer.” Her joy for life is palpable, and she channels this enthusiasm into every project she undertakes.
One of Josette’s most visible and impactful roles is as an ambassador for Haiti. Wherever she goes, she proudly dons a dress made from the Haitian flag. She uses it as a conversation starter to promote her homeland. “I wear it in every country I visit, so when someone asks me about my dress, I can take advantage of talking about my country,” she says. This simple yet powerful gesture has helped Josette further her mission to change the narrative around Haiti by highlighting its beauty and potential, even during difficult times.
If given a larger platform, Josette would focus on critical issues facing her homeland, such as security, economic development, and education. She believes the key to Haiti’s future lies in empowering youth and engaging the Haitian diaspora in national development. “I would promote the urgent need for security and stability and emphasize solutions to the violence and instability plaguing the nation,” she says. Her vision includes fostering national unity, creating opportunities for economic advancement, and improving healthcare and social services, all while holding its rulers accountable for transparent governance.
“Haiti is more than its struggles — it’s a country full of promise, culture, and unshakable spirit, waiting to reclaim its place as the ‘Pearl of the Antilles.’”
At the core of Josette’s identity is a deep love and pride for her Haitian heritage. “My favorite thing about being Haitian is the incredible resilience and strength of our people,” she says. For Josette, being Haitian means carrying forward the legacy of courage and determination of the first Black republic to gain independence. Despite Haiti’s current challenges, she believes in the unbreakable spirit of its people and the vibrant cultural heritage that defines the nation. Josette’s efforts to uplift Haiti extend to her philanthropic endeavors, where she focuses on education and skill development. She dreams of creating programs that empower youth and adults to free themselves from poverty and achieve economic stability.
In every aspect of her life, Josette St. Hilaire-Georges embodies the strength, beauty, and hope of Haiti. Whether she’s wearing the Haitian flag in a foreign country or organizing events to celebrate Haitian culture, she’s a living testament to her people’s resilience. She wants her image on the cover of Haiti Open Magazine to send a powerful message: “Haiti is more than its struggles — it’s a country full of promise, culture, and unshakable spirit, waiting to reclaim its place as the ‘Pearl of the Antilles.’”
