Maizie Barker-Welch
Dame Maizie Irene Barker-Welch DBE (née Barker; 17 September 1927 – 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 eldest of 12 children of Rev. Frank H. Barker, a schoolteacher, and his wife, Athalie Aurora Barker (née Padmore). Her younger brother, Rev. Frank A. Barker, and nephew the Rev. Kirk Barker, were also ministers.[2][1][3]
A schoolteacher before entering politics, she taught at St. Bernard's School, St. Gabriel's School, The Foundation Girls School, the Ursuline Convent, and Codrington High School.[4]
She was elected in 1986 as a member of the House of Assembly,[3] and also served in the Senate and Cabinet. She was elected in the DLP landslide of 1986, representing the constituency of St Joseph.[1][3] She was instrumental in the passage of the Domestic Violence (Protection Order) Act.[1] She lost Re-election in 1991.[5] She was President of the (Barbados) National Organisation of Women,[1] and a patron of the Barbados Sea Turtle Project.[6]
Death and honours
[edit]Dame Maizie 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 were made by many, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley.[7][8]
Honours and awards
[edit]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."[9][1] She was the only Barbadian appointed that year by Elizabeth II, in her right as Queen of Barbados, on advice of the Barbadian Government.[9] She also "received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of the West Indies."[1]
Personal life and death
[edit]The widow of Pedro Welch, she was survived by two sons, two daughters, and 11 grandchildren.[8] Her funeral was held at Bank Hall, and was buried at the historic Clifton Hill Moravian Church.[10]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
- 1 2 3 "Barbados General Election Results - 28 May 1986". Caribbean Elections. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
- ↑ Obituary, lyndhurstfuneralhome.com. Accessed 21 March 2026.
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 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.
- 1 2 "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.