The planned new court and police building on Court Street will be named after the late PLP leader and barrister Dame Lois Browne-Evans, government has announced. There will also be a bronze bust or statue of her in the building.
And, as of next year, May 24 will be officially renamed as National Heroes Day and Dame Lois will be the first person officially designated as a national hero.
Dame Lois died in May two days before her 80th birthday.
Premier Ewart Brown in a statement said: "Dame Lois long believed there was a need to instil national pride in our people. I share that belief, and in a very strong way this Government has made Dame Lois' wish come true. She would never have chosen herself for this sort of adulation; I'm proud we could do it for her because she did so much for all of Bermuda."
Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief initially asked the public how the Dame should be remembered back in July. There were 101 submissions. Dr. Brown said: "This is a great day for our country. Our country's matriarch is getting her just due. We collectively mourned when Dame Lois passed and now we can truly begin the process of celebrating her life."
Dame Lois was Bermuda's first female barrister, Bermuda's first female Attorney General and the first woman to become Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth country when she became leader of the PLP in 1968.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007
Comment by:
Paul Thorne
Naming the planned new court and police building after Dame Lois is perfect, celebrating her as a hero is also most appropriate. Taking away Bermuda day, a day for all of us Bermudians to celebrate our heritage is wrong. May 24 should remain Bermuda Day.
In addition Bermuda Day is unique and known around the world, it helps market Bermuda. A National Heroes Day is celebrated by quite a few countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere. If we must copy these other jurisdictions why not have our Heroes Day on Labour Day, either in September or a new holiday on the traditional workers day of May 1.
Paul T
Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007
Comment by:
billy
THis all sounds great.
I dont think we need another holiday. This has an impact on the economy but does not translate into any sociological or psychological difference. In other words...a holiday that creates opportunity for reflection or commemoration of a major event is valuable but in a country that is more materialistic and hedonistic or culturally unconcious it is not a good thing. I say this because the greatest woe is the lack of passion and depth in the country....this maybe directly because we were taught to supress passion for our people . we were taught to ignore our black heritage and not to look upon black resistance to white supremacy with open glee and a sense of righteousness. rather it was viewed as troublesome and mischief making...that is why cup match is a time when white merchants becoming wealthier materially instead of black citizens becoming wealthier mentally. I really think we need to get a better apreciation of our economic heritage...we need to come to value the economy and our respective roles in it...we need to appreciate the fears around money and the threat of survival mentally...so we dont need another day at the beach we need more times in the books and building better relationships and haveing courage to fight and resist oppresion seen and unseen through the disciplined use of resources...and time....
Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Comment by:
Tanya
I am in complete agreement with the previously posted comment!
All of our lives we have been celebrating a wonderful thing and any of our past heroes should have the respect of not being a replacement for something that is a full on tradition!!
Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Comment by:
Cynde
First let me say that I am pleased to hear the heroes of this country will be recognized and yet in the same sentence say that I am very disappointed the government has decided to replace one holiday with another instead of recognizing each on their own day. Take the Bahama's for instance who celebrate both an Independance day and a National Heroes day. Correct me if I am wrong but is Bermuda Day not the holiday that marks the official start of summer: the first day of the year when locals will return to the sea, a day to reflect on the heritage of the country. Why is this day being replaced by National Heroes day which to me refers to a number of commemorations of national heroes of Bermuda?! If it is not too late--please reconsider and have each holiday have their own day or perhaps make it a two day holiday, but each holiday should be recognized for their own importance.
