Dame Marguerite confirmed as next GG

Sat, Jul 5th 2014, 11:55 AM

Dame Marguerite Pindling will be sworn in as governor general of The Bahamas at noon next Tuesday, Bahamas Information Services revealed yesterday.
It will come two hours after outgoing Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes does a final inspection of the guard of honor at Government House.
The announcement of Dame Marguerite's appointment had long been anticipated.
She has served multiple times as deputy to the governor general.
Dame Marguerite, 82, was born to Reuben and Viola McKenzie in the settlement of Long Bay Cays, South Andros, on June 26, 1932.
As noted by The Bahamas Historical Society, she often describes herself as "just a barefoot girl from Andros".
Dame Marguerite has often expressed pride over her humble beginnings and her upbringing while promoting strong Christian values.
"Did I ever dream that one day, that me, this barefoot girl from Andros, would be given this opportunity to represent my country at this level? Not in my wildest dreams," she said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian ahead of the 40th anniversary of Bahamian independence last year.
"And today, I look back and say, Lord I thank you."
Moving to Nassau in 1946, Dame Marguerite lived with her sister Louise and attended the Western Senior School. After leaving school, her first job was with noted photographer Stanley Toogood.
Later she worked for Colyn Rees and soon met Lynden Pindling, a London-trained lawyer.
Following a courtship of a little over a year, they married on May 5, 1956.
Shortly after the wedding, Lynden Pindling was elected to the House of Assembly. In 1967 he became premier and, later, prime minister, a post he held until 1992. He served until 1997, when he retired after being elected nine consecutive times. Dame Marguerite supported her husband throughout his term in office.
Speaking in 2007, as the 40th anniversary of majority rule was being observed, Dame Marguerite said, "Pindling was able to
inspire a whole generation of young people.
"I look at them, 40 years later, they are running The Bahamas, and that gives me such a sense of pride. See, I never had the opportunity because I left school in grade six."
The emergence of a class of young professionals was one of the most important results of majority rule, she said.
"We had to save The Bahamas," Dame Marguerite said. "We had to build The Bahamas for the Bahamians because there was no Bahamas for us. We were not included in the other administration."
Dame Marguerite was honored by Queen Elizabeth in 2007, being named a Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
She will be sworn in two days before the 41st anniversary of Bahamian independence.
Reflecting on independence last year, she told The Nassau Guardian she was proud of the development of the nation since 1973.
"The Bahamas is a thriving democracy," Dame Marguerite said.
"The Progressive Liberal Party government expanded educational opportunities, established The College of The Bahamas, which has graduated brilliant Bahamians who are making important decisions or contributions to our society.
"The government has further developed the tourist industry, which has sustained the Bahamian economy for many years. It has also developed a strong public service.
"It turned the police force into a modern organization and established a defence force; sporting facilities and training have been expanded and we can boast of producing Olympic champions. The Bahamas joined the United Nations and many international and regional bodies. We have taken our place on the world stage, this little Bahamas."
At the time, Dame Marguerite also said she hoped that Bahamians generally would show more pride in themselves and their country.
"Before we became, you know, when we were poor, we used to show love for one another," she said.
"We used to be interested in each other's well being...We used to share. We knew who our neighbors were.
"But today, since we've become so successful, Bahamians don't know anybody anymore. The pride we once held for our beautiful country seems to have gone out the window."
While Dame Marguerite's appointment has not come as a surprise to many people, it is likely to generate some level of controversy.
Ahead of the 2012 general election, she was a fixture at Progressive Liberal Party rallies and even addressed one of the political events.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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