My blindness . . . has impacted me in some ways, but not to the extent it could have. It’s just one of the challenges with which I live, like all other people. – Kerryann Ifill
On March 19 Barbados distinguished itself as a country when it elevated to the post of President of the Senate a young woman with a disability.
The 38-year-old graduate of the University of the West Indies and post-graduate student of Durham Business School became the first woman and person with a disability to hold the position.
Her Honour Senator Kerryann Ifill was born on December 20, 1973. It was at the tender age of four that she developed juvenile cataracts due to damage to the retinas, which led to blindness.
The combined effort of state, Sightsavers and the openness of Combermere School ten years later led to her experiencing mainstream school life at the age of 14 when she entered secondary school.
Her life has been one of determination and dedication to excellence. In 1999, she became the first blind person to graduate from the Cave Hill Campus armed with a degree in sociology and psychology. She has pursued her career goals while working full-time with the Barbados Council For The Disabled.
This articulate young woman identifies with what the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP)?philosophy speaks to. We subscribe to the sound and rapid development of Barbados and its people in the shortest possible time. It is within this context that the appointment of Her Honour Senator Kerryann Ifill must be viewed.
The philosophical moorings of the DLP are not altered from leader to leader. The principles that underwrite our political ethos are embedded in our Constitution. We give expression to them in every facet of our operations at the level of the state.
This party, under the firm leadership of Freundel Stuart, continues to deliver on our objective to position Barbados as more than an economy. We continue to use the state apparatus to propel our people onto the world stage as talented leaders.
This appointment of the senator allows her to further her work as an advocate for the entire disabled community on a global scale. As a Government, we stand committed in enabling and empowering the disabled community to play a bigger role in mainstream public life. This act seeks to further widen participation in our democratic process.
We are involved in securing a better Barbados not for a few, but for all. The Democratic Labour Party salutes Her Honour Senator Kerryann Ifill on her elevation and offers her the best of wishes.
We also want to join the hundreds of constituents from Christ Church West and offer Senator Verla Depeiza congratulations on her elevation to the post of senator.
This party has ensured that two bright young women who are committed to transforming the lives of their constituents have access.
Unlike the people on the other side, we appreciate and understand that policy is constructed by putting people at the centre, and not a car in front of every house.
Barbadians, we implore you to continue to support all women across the length and breadth of Barbados. As a party, we assure you that we will continue to design our policy agenda to position Barbados to be more than just an economy.
