Her Excellency: Marcella Liburd becomes St Kitts first female Governor General
Mikala Johnson / Our Today
Marcella Liburd has created history, becoming the first female to be sworn in as Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis.
Today (February 1) marks the start of Liburd’s journey has Governor General after she was sworn in during a live television broadcast on Tuesday (January 31) at Government House, Basseterre, St Kitts.
Her Excellency Liburd, who succeeds His Excellency Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton, was administered the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance, making her the fifth Governor General of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
“This is a historic moment for our federation as she will be the first female governor general,” a government statement said.
The former government minister, has served the twin-island federation in various capacities, as a teacher, lawyer, legislator, Speaker of the National Assembly and as a government minister.
Liburd obtained her Bachelor of Laws with honors in 1992 from the Norman Manely Law School where she continued her education, earning a Legal Education Certificate in 1994.
The former politician has served as the Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, and acted as Prime Minister on occasion.
The statement said Liburd has piloted several legislations over the years including the Domestic Violence Act and Equal Pay Act. In 2011, nothing that Liburd was nominated among prominent women for her contributions to the development of gender equality.
In 2013, She became the first female to be elected as chairperson of the ruling St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party in its then 81-year history.
Liburd served as the Governor General’s deputy in September last year. According to the statement her appointment by His Majesty King Charles III is momentous.
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