First Female Governor Sworn in St. Kitts and Nevis

History was made on February 4th, 2023, when Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP was sworn in as the first female governor-general. The brief but significant ceremony was held at the Government House. 

Who is Marcella Liburd? 

Marcella Liburd has served the twin island as a lawyer, teacher, legislator, government minister, and the Speaker of the National Assembly.  

Perusing the list of accolades and accomplishments credited toward Her Excellency, she is referred to as a constant "trailblazer." Piloting several legislations, Ms. Liburd was nominated in 2011 for her contributions to gender equality development. One such installation was the Domestic Violence Act and Equal Pay Act. 

In 2013 Liburd became the first female elected as chairperson of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party. 

Marcella obtained her Bachelor of Laws and graduated with honors in 1992 from Norman Manley Law School. Shortly after, she started her career as an appointed Secretary of St.Kitts and Nevis Labour Party in 1997.  

Then in 2004, she became Speaker of the National Assembly. She had a couple of other essential jobs that have led her to the honored position she's in now. Based on her previous employment and dedication, everyone in the country trusts she will do an incredible job serving as their first female governor in 81 years. 

Prime Minister Dr. Drew made the following statement in favor of the election. 

"We should be extremely proud as a country, and as a nation, that the conditions are such that created the moment where we can finally say that in St. Kitts and Nevis, for all the years, women would have struggled heading most of the households, keeping mostly all of the families together, ensuring that children, men and the country as a whole are taken care of, today we say to the world that St. Kitts and Nevis has advanced and we are once again charting that new course of ensuring that all have equal opportunity, especially our women."  

CITED: thecaribbeannewsnow.com, caribbeannationalweekly.com, www.CARICOMToday.com