Official Opening Of Dame Lois Building

This past Saturday [June 11] dignitaries gathered on Court Street to celebrate the opening of the new Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building.

Dame Lois is a legendary figure in Bermuda’s history. She broke many barriers in Bermuda becoming the: first female lawyer [1953], first black woman to be elected MP [1963], first female Attorney General [1998] and the first female to lead the Opposition of a Commonwealth country [1968].

The occasion was extremely bittersweet for the family of Dame Lois, as sadly the night before Dame Lois’s husband John Evans passed away. The PLP had paid tribute to Mr Evans saying, “A true team they were. John Evans was the “wind beneath Dame Lois’ wings”. He was her confidante and source of encouragement.”

The building – which houses the Police station, courts and various Government offices – takes up an entire block from Victoria Street to Court Street, and is approximately 130,000 square feet. The contract was signed in early December 2007, with the allotted funding for the project $78 million, with unanticipated changes causing an increase in the funding from $78 million to $91.8 million.

The Premier, Deputy Premier, and MPs from both sides of the aisle were present, along with Senators, the Police Commissioner, Regiment Commanding Officer, the Deputy Governor and the family of the late Dame Lois Browne-Evans. The ceremony was slightly delayed as a Gombey troupe was making their way through the area, and during the moment of silence the drumbeat of the Gombeys could be heard, something which Master of Ceremonies Robert Horton called ‘fitting’.

Dame Lois’ daughter Tina Evans Caines spoke, saying, “Dame Lois Brown Evans, our Mother, was dedicated to improving the lives of every Bermudian through the dual avenues of law and politics.”

“Just as much as she loved politics, Dame Lois was proud of her legal profession. There wasn’t a day that went by that she wasn’t dispensing legal advice or sought out for her legal opinion. The law was her introduction into the world of politics and the foundation on which her political activity was built.”

“From the corner of Court & Church Streets, to the corner of Court & Victoria Streets, she practiced law for more than 5 decades. And from one end of this Island to the other you’ll find people who bear witness to the positive impact her law practice had on their lives.”

“From a homeowner who credits her with enabling him to purchase property in an area not typically open to “people who looked like him”, to the young woman now practicing law that I met just a few days ago. Without prompting or warning, this young woman launched into her experience with our mother.”

“She recalled being summoned to a meeting with Dame Lois, something she likened to ‘a meeting with the Pope’. And she shared that while she was nervous, Dame Lois put her at ease and they had a fruitful discussion about the law. This young woman said she was honored to have had an opportunity to meet and talk with her.”

“This was typical of Dame Lois, who freely shared her passion for, and belief in, the justice system and encouraged all who sought to study the profession.”

“On behalf of our family, I want to thank both the current and previous administration for this commitment to recognizing her lifelong service to the people of Bermuda. Thank you Premier and people of Bermuda for honoring and preserving her legacy with this permanent tribute.”

“To Minister, the Honorable Derek Burgess, thank you for answering our family calls and keeping us engaged in every step of the process leading to today. You were gracious in handling our initial concerns and assured us that a fitting representation of Dame Lois was what you intended to present.”

“I also want to acknowledge Permanent Secretary Robert Horton who answered every question I had, no matter the hour, and for seeing the process through to today.”

“The statute has been a labor of love for all involved, including artist and sculptor Zenos Frudikas who carefully, painstakingly, and with a sense of reverence, did capture the essence of Dame Lois. Thank you Zenos.”

“Thank you for all the work undertaken by every person who played a role in our being here today. Both this building that bears her name, and this statue of her likeness, will forever be a reminder that while justice may be blind to race, social standing, political beliefs and all those other things that get in the way of our accepting one another outside these doors, inside these doors a watchful pair of eyes stands as safeguard for the ideals on which the very system she loved was built.”

Premier Cox said, “Today’s opening is especially poignant with the passing on Thursday night of Mr. John Evans. One would like to romanticise the idea that Dame Lois and her partner, the late John Evans are looking down at us today.”

“However, on a day like this as we honour a woman who was the epitome of commitment to service and commitment to country one has to toast her memory with a speech, especially since she was a master orator. But her speeches did not simply stop at speeches.”

“They were not speeches versus solutions, they were speeches with solutions. Dame Lois was not one who was talk versus action. She was talk and action.”

“Dame Lois went the distance. The word committed was what Tina used to describe her mother. She also said her mom was non judgmental.”

“Dame Lois had a passion for what she did. However, in addition she had a wonderful sense of humour and a sense of irreverence and of fun. Her laughter was infectious and she engaged you irrespective of which aisle of the political spectrum you were in.”

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