Dame Jennifer Smith To Speak In The Bahamas

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith will be speaking at National Women’s Week in the Bahamas, according to a report from the Bahamas Weekly.

The increased participation of women in political and public life in The Bahamas will be a key component of the celebrations surrounding the 2013 observance of National Women’s Week.

Bahamas Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Melanie Griffin, said there are just five women in their House of Assembly, a figure that represents just 13 per cent of the Lower Chamber’s membership.

“I am delighted that Dame Jennifer Smith will be our special guest for National Women’s Week as she will participate in a number of speaking engagements with particular focus on women in governance,” Mrs. Griffin added.

Dame Jennifer’s first speaking engagement will take place on Wednesday, November 27, at the College of The Bahamas. She is then expected to address female parliamentarians at a special luncheon, which will be followed by an address at a one-day Women’s Summit.

Dame Jennifer is expected to accompany Minister Griffin to Grand Bahama on Thursday, November 28, where they will meet with female students, including students from the PACE Programme. Dame Jennifer is also scheduled to address women of Grand Bahama at a special luncheon at the Pelican Bay Hotel.

Dame Jennifer earned her place in Bermuda’s history as the first Progressive Labour Party Premier, the first female Senator and the first female Deputy Speaker.

In addition, in 1972, Dame Jennifer became the youngest woman to run in a general election [1972] and in 1980, she became the youngest member of the Senate. She led the PLP to two general election victories on November 9, 1998 and July 24, 2003.

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