"Unity is strength...when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved."
- Mattie Stepanek
On Tuesday, July 9, 2014, one day before independence day in The Bahamas, there were several historic moments in Bahamian history. On that date, we witnessed His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes demit office as our ninth governor general in an independent Bahamas, four short years after being sworn in.
Several hours later on that same day, the 10th governor general since independence, and the ninth Bahamian, assumed that office in the person of Dame Marguerite Pindling. We should remember that Sir John Paul, a British citizen who served as the last governor of the colony of The Bahama Islands, was the first governor general of the newly created Commonwealth of The Bahamas on July 10, 1973. He held that post for a very short time, only until August 1, 1973 when Sir Milo Butler became our first Bahamian governor general.
Therefore this week we would like to Consider this... What should we expect of our newest governor general, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite?
Important firsts
In assuming office as the governor general, Dame Marguerite embodies a series of firsts for our nation. She is the first Bahamian governor general to attain that post without having served in the executive or legislative branches of government. Without exception, all other governors general have served in either the executive or legislative branches of government, and in some instances both.
In addition, Dame Marguerite is the first spouse of a former Caribbean prime minister to become governor general. The only other similar situation, albeit not quite analogous, was Dame Nita Barrow, the sister of the founding father of Barbados, Errol Barrow, who served as prime minister of Barbados from 1966 to 1976, and who during his tenure led Barbados to independence from Great Britain in 1966.
Political involvement
There is no question that Dame Marguerite has made enormous contributions to the body politic for many decades, primarily in a supporting role as the spouse of Sir Lynden Pindling, the leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and prime minster for 25 years.
And while she has never offered for elective political office, Dame Marguerite has been squarely at the center of politics in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Married on May 5, 1956, Dame Marguerite found herself immediately in the thick of the first political campaign ever fought by the Progressive Liberal Party. Election day, June 8, 1956, saw history made when six members of the fledgling Progressive Liberal Party were elected to the House of Assembly, including her new husband, Lynden Pindling.
Finding herself in a new role as her husband became the leader of opposition business in the House, she immersed herself, along with many other PLP women, in fundraising, which enabled the men to bring the PLP message to the Out Islands, as
well as efficiently and speedily organizing branches of the party.
She also became part of the group of women agitating for the right to vote because, in those days, activism and being a part of the PLP went hand in hand, even for women who were traditionally homemakers. Almost everyone in those days was caught up in what was becoming a national movement toward economic and social empowerment. Being involved in the movement, she became well informed about the events of the day so she could liaise with the women of the party and keep them abreast of what was happening as the party moved forward, toward their goals.
Even as her family grew, Dame Marguerite grew as a public figure, the wife of the man who eventually became the leader of the party. Gifted with natural wit and innate style, she learned how things were done in a more international arena as she represented The Bahamas at the side of her husband, even filling in for him upon occasion. It is also a matter of historical record that the first time she actually stood in for him was to deliver a speech in England on his behalf when Sir Lynden was called back to The Bahamas in May 1980 to deal with the national crisis caused by the sinking of the HMBS Flamingo by Cuban fighter jets.
The family influence
It is well known that Sir Lynden, unless he was away or otherwise engaged in some pressing matters of state, returned to his home almost every day for lunch, where he shared time over the meal, more often than not prepared by his wife, with his family. Friends and colleagues of Sir Lynden have recounted how helpful such a respite was for him, and that, on occasion, when confronted with important national issues, his luncheon sojourns to his family home would provide him with the time to reflect on such issues in a quiet space, which often would allow him to discover a resolution before returning to his office, no doubt aided by the support, insight and advice that he might have received from Dame Marguerite.
As a mother and grandmother, Dame Marguerite also brings to her new assignment a maternal perspective that has been forged not only from her family structure but also from her interaction with thousands in her political life, as can be seen from the nurturing and caring support that she has always provided to her husband and children as well as to her political associates. These life experiences should assist her in becoming an outstanding governor general.
Charitable and civic contributions
For more than half a century, Dame Marguerite has made enormous contributions to the Bahamian community through her involvement in charitable organizations, most notably the Red Cross. Her role as patron succeeded in raising the profile of many of these organizations and directly contributed to increased funding.
Dame Marguerite's new role
Dame Marguerite will no doubt adorn her new office with the same grace, elegance, civility and aplomb as she displayed these past 58 years. Now in her role as governor general, as then, these and other attributes will serve as an important model, especially for the young people of our still fledgling nation.
By her own statements, we know that Dame Marguerite fully appreciates that the central role that she played in the body politic prior to attaining this office will require a radical shift in her political focus and perspective. She now recognizes that such activity and public and private pronouncements will have to be subsumed by impeccable impartiality. She acknowledged this in her first address as governor general that, both in tone and tenor, assuaged the concerns that were publicly expressed in the lead-up to her appointment. We applaud her for seeking to allay these concerns so definitively.
Conclusion
As she executes her vitally important role as head of state and the Queen's representative in The Bahamas, we are confident that at all times Dame Marguerite will remember the powerful words of the father of the nation that as we "look up and move on, the world is watching".
We join with all who wish Dame Marguerite well and believe that she will serve our country with distinction as governor general.
o Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis and Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament. Please send your comments to pgalanis@gmail.com.
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