CAYMAN’S FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY GOVERNOR TAKES HER SEAT IN PARLIAMENT

History was recorded in the Parliament of the Cayman Islands when the jurisdiction’s first female Deputy Governor took her seat in the chamber.

Hon. Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon was warmly welcomed to the chamber in an outpouring of cross-party acclaim, matched only by the humility of her response and her commitment to the high standards of the office she now holds.

In a statement marked by moments touched with a quiver of emotion, the new Deputy Governor thanked her family, colleagues, and others who laid the foundation.

“It would be remiss of me not just to say just how tremendously blessed I feel. Repeatedly, people have asked me since I’ve taken up this role, “How are you?” and I have always responded, “Blessed.” I come from humble beginnings. My mom can attest, and to know that I grew up down the street, not far from here, to be in this role, the blessings of God, the blessings of successive generations of leaders in this country that have invested to give every child an opportunity, the blessings of working the tremendous men and women in the civil service who demonstrate humility and commitment. These are men and women who, when we are in times of trouble, they run towards the issue, not away. I’m tremendously blessed to have had such strong role models in my family, and to see what sacrifice looks like up close, where you’re paying it forward to the next generation.”

HISTORIC

On the historic nature of the occasion, Deputy Governor McField-Nixon acknowledged other trailblazing women in Cayman politics and government who have cleared the pathway.

“I am the latest female member of this parliament. I stand here as the first female Deputy Governor, but I follow in the footsteps of amazing women from our honourable Sybil McLaughlin, the first woman to hold the position of Clerk in any Parliament in the Commonwealth, to those who have held the chair in succession after her as Speaker of this Parliament.”

And while paying tribute to the women who have laid the groundwork, the new Deputy Governor spoke of her pride and humility in embracing the role and its responsibilities.

“As the first female to occupy this position, it’s an incredible privilege. But also, I am very mindful. I can’t mess it up for the next one. I have a tremendous responsibility to make sure that ceilings are not only broken, but doors are widened, and in that I follow in the footsteps of those honourable female members of our Parliament who distinguish themselves, Ministers who balance this against their own young families and do it all so incredibly well with such grace, and to all the women members who have demonstrated the power of giving people flowers while they can still enjoy it and showing them the confidence that we have a sisterhood. Thank you for your warm support.”

Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon has succeeded Franz Manderson, who has retired after a 41-year career in the civil service. She takes up one of the two seats in the Parliament assigned to

ex-officio members, the other being the Attorney General. Of the other 19 seats in the 21-seat Parliament, 18 are for elected MPs, and one is occupied by the Speaker.