Maizie Barker-Welch
Dame Maizie Barker-Welch, DBE, (c. 1926 – 28 August 2024) was a Barbadian woman's rights activist and member of parliament.[1]
She was born Mazie Irene Barker, into a family of clergy, the first child of the Rev. Frank H. Barker and his wife; her younger brother Rev. Frank A. Barker and nephew the Rev. Kirk Barker were also ministers.[2]
She was elected in 1986 as a member of the House of Assembly,[3] and also served in the Senate and Cabinet.[1] She was elected in the DLP landslide of 1986, representing the constituency of St Joseph.[1][3]
Barker-Welch was instrumental in the passage of the Domestic Violence (Protection Order) Act.[1] She lost Re-election in 1991.[4]
She was President of the (Barbados) National Organisation of Women,[1] and a patron of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project.[5]
Death and honours
[edit]Barker-Welch died at the age of 96. The local media, Barbados Today, called her a "distinguished educator, politician, advocate for women’s rights, and influential public servant".[1] Tributes for her were made by Prime Minister Mia Mottley,[6] and Ronnie Yearwood.[7]
Barker-Welch was named a dame commander in 2014 as part of the New Year's Honours.[1] On 1 January 2014, for the New Year Honours, she was appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) "for services to national, regional and international advocation for the rights of women."[8] She was the only Barbadian appointed that year by Elizabeth II, in her right as Queen of Barbados, on advice of the Barbadian Government.[8]
She also "received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of the West Indies."[1]
Her funeral was held at Bank Hall, and was buried at the historic Clifton Hill Moravian Church.[9]
She had four children.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Mehter, Sasha (29 August 2024). "Dame Maizie Barker-Welch dies at 96; remembered for pioneering legacy". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ "The Bereaved" (PDF). Sharon Moravian. 8 September 2024. p. 17. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Barbados General Election Results - 28 May 1986". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ "Barbados General Election Results - 22 January 1991", Caribbean Elections, archived from the original on 12 May 2021, retrieved 3 February 2025
- ^ "Saving the Sea Turtles". Barbados Today. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ Mottley, Mia (29 August 2024). "Statement from Prime Minister Mottley on the passing of former MP, Dame Maizie Barker-Welch". Retrieved 3 February 2024.
- ^ a b Yearwood, Ronnie (29 August 2024). "Ronnie Yearwood statement on the passing of former MP Dame Maizie Barker-Welch". Barbados Today29/08/20240. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ^ a b "No. 60730". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2013. p. 43.
- ^ "Official funeral for Dame Maizie Barker-Welch". Barbados Today. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
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