BUT celebrates 95th anniversary

The Bermuda Union of Teachers is celebrating its' 95th Anniversary with a week full of activities starting on Sunday, the 26th of January. 

It was in 1919, that four colleagues, Rev. Rufus Stovell, Miss Adele Tucker, Miss Edith Crawford, and Miss Matilda Crawford stood in contemplation at the St. John's Church graveyard after the burial of one of their contemporaries, Miss Rosa Butterfield.  The relatively young forty three year old headmistress had succumbed to cancer on January 21st. 1919.  She was the third teacher in close succession to have suffered an untimely death.  The loss of one teacher during the early 1900s was not without consequence to the black community.  The loss of three was traumatic.  In the words of Miss Adele Tucker, with this third death, “a blaze was kindled”.

As a result of that grave site meeting the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) was born.  February 1st 1919 was its official beginning.  This year we celebrate 95 years of existence, making us the oldest Trade Union on the island.

The week of activities begin at St. Paul A.M.E. on Sunday, 26th of January, continues with a retired educator "Chat and Chew" on Wednesday, continues with a historical edition of "Teacher Talk", the BUT's radio program airing Thursdays @ 5:30 on Magic 102.7, a scavenger hunt on the Friday, a prayer breakfast on February 1st starting at 8:30 am at Hamilton Princess and ending with the annual BUT/Butterfield and Valis Road Race. 

Contact the office of the BUT at 292-6515 for more information.