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September 19, 1997 - In what can be referred to as a momentous occasion, in the annals of St. Lucia's
history, the first female Governor General, in the person of Dr. Pearlette Louisy was
sworn into the prestigious office of Governor General effective Wednesday 17 September,
1997 putting to rest much speculation as to who would fill the position left vacant by
Sir. George Mallet. According to a release emanating out of the Prime Minister's Office,
it was noted, that Her Excellency was born of humble parents in the southern village of
Laborie and received her early education at the Laborie Girls Primary School and the St.
Joseph's Convent. Having graduated from the University of the West Indies, where she
completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French, she then obtained a Masters of
Arts Degree in Linguistics from the University of Laval, Quebec, in 1975.
At the date of her appointment, Her Excellency served as Principal of the Sir Arthur Lewis
Community College, a position she held since 1996.
The former Principal also served as a member of the Caribbean Examinations Council as
Programme Coordinator, Organisation for Cooperation in Overseas Development Summer
Workshops for teachers in St. Lucia. The new Governor General has also presented several
papers and publications locally, regionally and internationally.
During the formal ceremony attended by members of Parliament as well as family and family
members of Her Excellency, Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony remarked
that the day was not only special for the village of Laborie and St. Lucia, but for women
in general. Dr. Anthony specified that his government was pleased to offer the position to
someone not tainted by partisan politics and by her very life encapsulated the heart and
soul of this country.
Recalling Dr. Louisy's sojourn in the field of education, the Prime Minister said that his
government had every confidence that Her Excellency would help, in these critical times,
to re-define, re-shape and give new direction to the post of Governor General.
In accepting the position with humility, Her Excellency, pledged to serve the people of
St. Lucia with what she refereed to as "the zeal, the sensitivity and the objectivity
that such an expression of confidence deserves."
The new Governor General also seized the opportunity to thank her family and friends for
having provided her with the environment and the sense of community which had helped to
shape her life.
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