Marie Davis Pierre, the first Dominican female to have been appointed Speaker of the Dominica House of Assembly, has died.
Pierre served as Speaker from August 1980 to December 1988. She was appointed to that position by Dame Mary Eugenia Charles in 1980 when she became Dominica’s first female prime minister at the helm of a Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) administration.
Alex Boyd Knights and Lennox Honychurch write in their book, “Women in Parliament in Dominica past and present” that when she was asked what motivated her to enter politics, Marie Davis Pierre replied that she was never really motivated.
She recalls that when the Dominica Freedom Party came into power, Miss Charles (as Dame Eugenia Charles was then) first asked her to be Speaker, she refused. But, she says, ‘’Miss Charles was persistent. She said I knew the Rules of the House, having written a book on Parliamentary Procedure, and that her members were new and knows nothing about Parliamentary Procedure’’. She adds that her family and friends told her she should accept, so she did.
Mrs. Davis Pierre recalls that on leaving the Convent High School in 1937, being unable to find a job, she started a Kindergarten School and later joined the Civil Service as it was called then. Around that time she, too, became a catechist, serving the Catholic Church in that capacity for 56 years and at the same time joined the Cathedral Choir.
Marie Davis Pierre’s love for music and singing is well known and many can recall her musicals, concerts, and solo performances in church. But it was her path through the Civil Service which eventually led her to becoming Speaker.
In 1965, when Mrs. Davis Pierre was appointed Deputy Registrar, In 1967, when Dominica attained its new Status as an ‘‘Associated State’’ with Great Britain, she was chosen to be Clerk of the House and by 1970 she was sent on a 3 months attachment to the House of Commons to study Parliamentary Procedure under the Westminister System of Government. The following year, 1971, she was sent to Canada on another attachment to study Record keeping and Management. She wrote reports on her return to the State on the two attachments and presented them to the Government of the day.
That short stint on Record Keeping enabled her to reorganize the filing system of the Office of the Clerk of the House of Assembly incorporating the advanced method she had learned.
It was as Clerk of the House she became the first Caribbean Clerk of Parliament to write a book on Parliamentary Practice and Working Methods of the Dominica House of Assembly which was published in 1975.
On the 3rd November, 1978 when Dominica became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, as Clerk of the House Mrs. Davis Pierre assisted in preparing the procedure for the important event when the Constitutional Instruments were handed over to the Honourable Premier, Mr. Patrick John, by her Royal Highness Princess Margaret in an Address incorporating the Queens’s Message to the people of Dominica. She later received a letter of thanks and appreciation from the then Prime Minister, Patrick John.
In December 1978, Mrs. Davis Pierre retired from the Civil Service having reached the retirement age and having given thirty-three years of service. On her retirement as Clerk of the House she presented to the Prime Minister, Mr. Patrick John, and the then Leader of the Opposition, Dame Eugenia Charles, bound volumes of the Minutes and Hansards with indices of the Meetings of the House of Assembly, dating from 1st March, 1967 the date she was appointed Clerk of the House of Assembly, to the 28th October, 1978, the date immediately preceding Independence, 12 years all told. She also presented to the House three bound volumes with indices of the laws of Dominica from 1627 to 1978 and another volume with all the speeches of Colonial Governors, the Resolutions of the various members of the Legislative Council striving for improvement of their Colonial status and dispatches from the Secretary of State. A copy of all these documents can be found in the Library of the House of Assembly.
In 1980 when the Freedom Party came into power, Marie Davis Pierre became the first female Speaker of the House of Assembly. She was re-elected in 1985.
In the House she experienced some difficult situations, such as ‘walk-outs’, disorderly behaviour etc. Mrs. Davis Pierre gives credit to the Convent High School for the character training that she received which enabled her to study the behavioral pattern of each member and keep a balance. From the onset, Madame Speaker made it clear to Members that they were expected to abide by the Rules of the House and to respect the authority of the Chair. She made sure, through hand-outs, that all new members appointed to the House were initiated with the procedures of the House.
Madame Speaker held the view that the people should not be alienated from the Business of the House and so she tried to ensure, through various articles she wrote in the Press to forge a closer link between Parliament and the people.
There is no doubt that Mrs. Davis Pierre has left an indelible mark on the Parliament of Dominica, not only as the first Female Speaker of Dominica and the Region but also because of the many projects she undertook when she was Clerk of the House to improve access to papers and documents, creating the library and in many other ways enhancing the values of the Parliament itself.
Sincere condolences to the Davis family on the death of a very beloved and cherished relative. Indeed she was a figure of great civil stature,one whose articles in the newspapers were profound and poignant.
Rename the HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT “The MARIE DAVIS PIERRE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT”.
She was a brilliant, articulate lady who excelled in all her endeavors.
She obviously took pride in all her undertakings and assumed her responsibilities with diligence, discipline, dignity and grace.
She should receive a State Funeral, if only a partial one. She deserves the honor for also her overall dedicated service.
This leads me to think of a few words of the Convent High School theme song. I do not know if it was sung during her high school days. It is an attribute to her:
Convent High School youths
We’re our island’s pride
We the leaders of tomorrow
In the shadow of Christ’s Cross
One in heart and mind
True to Church to home and land.
Ready to fight for God and country
Honor, duty, purity.
E’er we strive for our ideals . . .
I still love that song today. We studied, prayed and sang at the CHS, thanks to the nuns, the Mothers (Sisters) of St. Augustine. We also played games/sports. The discipline was none to compare. Those who attended the CHS before I did, during my high school days and after under the scholarly leadership and direction of these Nuns, project a certain degree of discipline also in their private lives. It tells in their behavior, manner of speech and also writing. Mrs. Davis Pierre depicted that she was not an exception.
Once again, Mrs. Marie Davis Pierre, rest in God’s glory and peace. You have fulfilled your duties to a “T”, serving God and country. You have gone to your heavenly reward and are resting from your earthly works.
Our Lord Jesus Christ be praised for giving you such a life, such intelligence, determination and dedication to fulfill your duties also to your Catholic Church. Therein also lies discipline.
You have done well in life and are one who should be emulated by especially the youths. Your name should be ever etched in the history books of Dominica and in schools.
You will not be forgotten by especially all those who personally knew you and others whose lives you touched. God bless your dear soul.
My aunt was a strong women who worked to make Dominica a better place. It is through her vision for me that I became a lawyer and doctor. She lived a life of integrity and selfless ness that build Dominica and gave the other Islands a foundational fabric to Parliamentary Procedures. She was an inspiration to me and my family. I will miss our talks on Dominica’s Constitution and other matters. I am greatly grieved and happy that she is with her beloved maker.
Your aunt was a great example of integrity and fair ness. She gave her life to making others happy with her songs and dance performances. .She also serve her country as speaker of the house and helped with Parliamentary procedures. It is a great lost to the country. However, being the first women she opened many doors for women. Rest in peace Marie -Davis Pierre.
why talk about it now…why couldn’t this article be posted before she was dead?
For your information and for others, this article WAS published when she was still alive and a copy of the book in which it appeared was presented to Mrs Marie Davis Pierre. She wrote me a very gracious letter of thanks in return.
RIP…Condolences to the Davis family…esp Eva and Chacha…
Was a true patriotic woman Dominica ha lost another fine person
DNO,
I think you should have had a more apptopriate head such as: Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Marie Davis Pierre Passes On.
my neighbor may she Rest in peace her sister was a good friend of mine always. cork street
We need more people like her in government.
My aunty. She lived a life of integrity and trust of the human relationships that she had the opportunity to interact with. She was always a champion for the little people. Thank you all for your kind words in this time of loss. She is now with her maker, and in a better place.
Francis
Francis, I have not seen you for a long time. You know who I am. I spoke to Jennifer yesterday and asked her to relay my condolence to Melvin, you and others. At this time you will not know who wrote this but will inform Jennifer to tell you.
Still, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. May God sustain all of you. God bless each one of you.
R.I.P. you served your country well with humility and dignity.
On an other note, Where is Roosevelt Skerrit? The last time I heard he left for China on May 11th 2014 in search of an International Airport, 1500 houses, a new Roseau, 600 jobs and an indoor sports facility.
Has anyone seen or heard from our beloved Prime Minister? Please contact INTERPOL
And what does your comment have to do with the passing of this former speaker? I have noticed that everything in Dominica is either RED or BLUE. Really people!
I am sorry to hear of her passing. Such is life especially when a certain age is reached. She has gone to her heavenly reward.
My sincere sympathy to her relatives, Jennifer, her niece; all other nieces, nephews and grands. Too many to mention. My prayers are with you.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in God’s peace. Amen!
Compare Marie Davis Pierre to the present speaker of the House and lamentations are really in order.
Yes, Ms. Davis Pierre was well respected. So sorry to see her standards have not been maintained. May she rest in peace.
A rest now you good and faithful servant of country, fellow men and Christ.
DNO may you change your title. It is rather colloquial for such a distinguished person. May I suggest ” Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Dies”? Bon.
She was a woman of character, value and respect. May she rest in peace
A woman who carried herself with respect and dignity. She was an impartial and professional Speaker of the House, an example to others. My condolences to the bereaved families. May her soul rest in peace.
Her name will be forever etched in our history books. She made an amazing contribution to our nation. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Deepest condolences to her family… She had a beautiful singing voice too and loved classical music.
Indeed the last of the true patriots who served their country with great honour. Those who did the work for the people without foolish pride and throwing maypwee for others and enriching themselves on the backs of the people. Since her retirement the standards of our Parliament have been rock bottom.
My condolences to the family of Marie Davis Pierre. I recall her ” goldie oldie” shows she put on at the auditorium room of the Convent High School.
My Sunday school teacher and neighbor. Rest in peace madam
She was a very nice simple and quiet lady RIP mrs Pierre u will be sadly missed by families and friends
She was of the real stuff that make good Speakers. Unbiased and upholder of the rules of the House. How the times have changeg but can we change back to how it was then or are we stuck.
I remember her. She was a perfect lady and a quiet one. Sadly, such people are no more. We are moving forward; the world is progressing. It is not what it used to be. Only God knows what will happen next and in the future. God help us.
Rest in peace Marie.
Apart from her duties as civil servant and later speaker of the house of assembly, Marie and her sisters were excellent singers in the Catholic Church choir and also with the Goodwill Singers, under the guidance of the esteemed Dr. Watty.
I recall fondly, her singling “Ave Maria” in the choir at weddings and funerals,, one of her sisters rendition of O Holy Night at midnight mass on Christmas eve and her cantatas from German composers.
Condolences to her family.
Yes! They were talented. They also, of course played the piano.
I want to say thank you for answering the call to shape our parliament and setting the grounds for the rest that came or comes after you may you rest in peace with the lord, to the family accept our sympathy with your loss.
Condolences goes out to her family. Another iconic figure trail blazer, trend setter, Service to country and family. None has done it better than her with class wit, fairness, calmness, leadership to of the quality we today yearn for, gone but not will always be remembered for the examples left with us tall act to follow in todays tribal and warfare, crass, atmosphere we live in. R.I.P.
Now, who would “thumbs down” a comment like that? Only sick people.
A good soul. May she rest in peace.
Those were the days of persons with integrity serving in positions – not what obtains nowadays… RIP Madame!
Any is gone but is gone but forgotten
????????
R.I.P
My Sympathy to the family. It would behooved the person who is disseminating news concerning someone death to actually put a face to the individual that died. Every news agency knows that