BRAVE DAVIS SAYS FAREWELL TO DAME MARGUERITE
MESSAGE FROM THE HON. PHILIP BRAVE DAVIS QC, MP
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
RETIREMENT OF H.E. DAME MARGUERITE PINDLING GCMG
GOVERNOR GENERAL, COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
I take this opportunity join Bahamians everywhere, luminaries, dignitaries, Heads of States and Heads of Governments globally in celebrating, congratulating and paying tribute to the life and work of Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling GCMG, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on the occasion of her retirement.
A daughter of the soil, Dame Marguerite has always been a source of national pride for Bahamians from all walks of life and in particular, has inspired generations of Bahamian women and girls not only for her beauty, brains, style, grace and elegance, but for her indomitable spirit.
Born into poverty in an obscure settlement in South Andros in 1932, Mrs. Pindling overcame tremendous odds to ascended to the highest office in the land, the Head of State – that of Governor General. She executed that high office with diplomacy, statesmanship, grace, dignity and neutrality – engaging every aspect of civil society and visiting every corner of our beloved archipelago ever mindful to never lose touch with ordinary Bahamians.
Through her travel itinerary, the Governor General took great care to pay tribute to the contributions of many of the country’s unsung heroes and heroines in the far-flung settlements and communities in our fair Commonwealth. She worshipped with and hosted numerous community leaders to lunch and ministered to any number of centenarians, honouring and respecting the country’s elders.
Above all, motherhood and grand parenthood remain among her most important jobs as she valued the sanctity of the family unit as the foundation for a successful Commonwealth.
Her personal story is one of boundless opportunities and triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds through self confidence, faith and the din of hard work. This story is inextricably linked to the national Bahamian story and stands at the root of much of the inspiration many Bahamians derived from her life’s work.
I thank the Dame for her many years of invaluable and selfless national service in both her unofficial capacity as First Lady and in her official capacity as Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
On behalf of my wife Ann-Marie, the Office of the Leader of The Opposition and my Parliamentary colleagues, I pray God’s continued blessings on our outgoing Governor General she enters the next chapter in her life.
May Almighty God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.