LONDON, England – Janet Bostwick, the first woman elected to the House of Assembly in The Bahamas, received her appointment as Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, March 28, 2019.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, officiated at the ceremony.
“I am both humbled and honoured to have been chosen for such a prestigious honour,” said Dame Janet after the investiture. “I thank the Bahamian people for this award. In accepting the damehood, I was pointedly reminded of the still continuing struggle of Bahamian women to remove every vestige of inequality and discrimination from not only our nation’s national life, but from the very personal relationships of women, whether in their homes or on the job.”
Dame Janet has spent her life working to advance the rights of girls, women and the underprivileged in The Bahamas. She pledged on Thursday to continue that work.
“The Bahamas together with the world celebrated International Women’s Day on the eighth of this month. Once again, the cry for equal rights was raised. In particular, attention was drawn to the great disparity in many instances in pay to women as compared to men for work of equal value,” said Dame Janet.
“The adverse effects of domestic violence were also highlighted, as well as the underrepresentation of women in the decision-making process of national life. We must never cease to address and remedy these and other issues affecting our girls and women.
“I reiterate my commitment to continue to serve to enhance the standard and quality of life of all our people.”
Dame Janet was the second person to receive an award at the palace on a list of 64 people. The ceremony began at 11 a.m.
“It was a true privilege to be in attendance at Buckingham Palace and witness my mother be honoured with the title of Dame,” said son John Bostwick II. “She has given her life selflessly in service to her country and the Bahamian people, second only to her God. She is truly deserving to receive this honour. And for those of us who know her, we are certain that she has much, much more to offer and the best is yet to come.”
Daughter Lisa Bostwick-Dean said: “I have watched my mother tirelessly give of herself to the people of The Bahamas my whole life. It was a pleasure to watch her receive this award. We are deeply appreciative of the love and support she has received from the Bahamian people.”
Prince William and Dame Janet shared a moment of pleasant, private conversation after he bestowed the award. Dame Janet displayed extraordinary talents even as a young woman. She was head girl at The Government High School.
