Barbados has honoured its first female parliamentary representative, Dame Edna Ermyntrude “Ermy” Bourne by naming the Committee Room of the East Wing of Parliament after her.
A plaque at the entrance of the Committee Room was unveiled by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason and Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the island’s first female prime minister, last night in the presence of parliamentarians, friends and family of the late parliamentarian.
Prime Minister Mottley hailed the influence of Dame Edna on the lives of several current politicians, describing her as a small women in statue, who was humble and “gave of her best”. Representative for St Andrew, George Payne, lauded her contribution to the development of the parish of St Andrew, which the late parliamentarian represented between 1951 and 1961.
Mottley, who heads the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP), also hailed Dame Edna’s contribution to the parish. ”We remember when we pass this room (the Ermyntrude ‘Ermy’ Bourne room),” the Prime Minister noted, “that all things are possible.”
A plaque was also unveiled in honour of Dame Billie Miller, the first female Cabinet minister and the first female deputy prime minister of Barbados. The plaque was unveiled by the prime minister and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Arthur Holder.
A highway in St Andrew was previously named the Ermy Bourne highway. (HH)