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Lois Browne Evans

Politician
Date Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2006

In 1953 she became Bermuda’s first female barrister-at-law upon the completion of her studies at Middle Temple, London and her subsequent call to the Bermuda Bar.  In 1963 she became the first black Bermudian woman to win a seat in the House of Assembly and just five years later, became Leader of the Opposition, Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, thereby gaining worldwide recognition and acclaim as the first female Leader of the Opposition in the Commonwealth.

Born in Bermuda in 1927, Dame Lois represented her Devonshire North Constituency for 35 years without interruption.  Her victory in 1963 marked the first election ever contested by the Progressive Labour Party.  She served as Leader of the Opposition from 1968 to 1972 when she voluntarily stepped down, and from 1976 to 1985 when she again voluntarily stepped down.

She held positions with a number of local and international organisations including the International Federation of Women Lawyers, the Bermuda Business and Professional Women’s Club where she is a founding member and the Devonshire Recreation Club where she became the first woman member.

 

Dame Lois’ outstanding debating skills served Bermuda well, particularly at the historic London and Bermuda Constitutional Conferences and as a delegate to numerous international conferences in the Caribbean, Africa, New Zealand and the USA.Dame Lois has lived through, and had a major role in, all significant political events since the emergence locally of Party Politics.  She became Minister of Legislative Affairs following the PLP’s victory in the 1998 election and in March 1999 was named Attorney-General and Minister of Legislative Affairs.

Dame Lois received numerous honours and for her ceaseless battle for justice and equal opportunity for all people of Bermuda.   

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