Dominica-born, Baroness Patricia Scotland, has been appointed Chancellor of the University of Greenwich and will preside at ceremonial occasions and act as an ambassador for the university.
“I am extremely proud to have been invited to become Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, which has such a vibrant and wide ranging student body and is truly representative of the cultural diversity of the UK. The eclectic mix of talent evident both in students and the teaching staff at Greenwich are amongst the best in this country,” she said following the appointment. “I am confident that the university will continue to go from strength and strength. There is nothing that a person of talent cannot achieve if they are given the help and support to develop their gift.”
Scotland was born in Dominica, the tenth child of twelve. Her family moved to London when she was two years old.
A specialist in family and children’s law, she has had a remarkable career, culminating in her holding office as England’s most senior legal figure.
She was educated at Mid Essex Technical College where she achieved a London University (LLB) law degree. After being called to the Bar in 1977, she was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1991 at the age of 35, making history by being the youngest person since Pitt the Younger, and the first ever black woman, in this position.
Scotland went on achieve a number of other “firsts”, including being the first black woman to serve as a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorder and Master of Middle Temple. In 1997, she was one the first two black women to join the House of Lords and was appointed to the Privy Council in 2001.
She later became Minister of State for the Criminal Justice system and Law reform at the Home Office and introduced the Crime and Victims Act. In 2007, Baroness Scotland was appointed Attorney General, again being the first woman to hold this post.
Currently Scotland is one of the three Chatham House presidents and is Chair of the Advisory Board for Chatham House’s Academy for Leadership in International Affairs. She was also appointed Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to South Africa in 2012.
The founding patron of the Corporate Alliance Against Domestic Violence, Baroness Scotland also founded the Eliminate Domestic Violence Global Foundation, and is patron of the charity Mission Children and Families Across Borders.
She has been named among the 100 Great Black Britons.
Let us argue over what village the Baroness is from, and just acknowledge she is Dominican by Birth, because she knows little of Dominica, but we must embrace her for she is Dominican and did very well in life.
We must not let petty jealousy blind us to the great achievment of our fellow Dominicans, but tell the younger ones coming up to take their education SERIOUSLY so they too can make a mark in the world.
Thank you Baroness Scottland, we will continue to wish you and all other Dominican out there doing good for Dominica and the Commonwealth well …… God Bless.
Ok And,,,
Just another Barrister!!! who is awarded for the aid in taking advantage of children,,,
Article says she’s been in the educational field for quite some time now, Can You DNO editors find out what’s a record on aiding in the plight for Dominican Students looking to further their Studies???
Lets see how many scholarships to Dominican Students she going to award during her tenure,,,
Dominica has produce world-class individuals, but the country remains one of the most backward country in the Caribbean.
And you are the most backward of all! You can’t even provide yourself with a reason to smile!
OUTSTANDING. A shinning star makings us all proud as Dominicans. leve Domnichen leve
WELL DONE PATRICIA,WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU & YOUR FAMILY IN THE OLD DAYS.
WOW! She has achieved a lot. Amazing woman I must say.
Congratulation Baroness Patricia Scotland , you continue to do the people of the Commonwealth proud .
In what way???
Do you know of anyone she helped from getting jail-time???
Oh stop your petty jealousy and go and look for something worthwhile to do. Then you won’t have time to decry and belittle the achievements of others.
We the people of Pte Michel wish to hand her the key to the village, and make her an honorable citizen of la point bestowed from our honorable major Matt in the morning. congratulation.
Congratulations.
Can we revisit Mr. Fontaine’s statement:
“There are still lots of questions about the judiciary and THE ABILITY of our own people to preside over themselves”.
what an appropriate story in light of the insult from Mr Thomson Fontaine of the UWP.
Why is Dominica so backward when we are able to produce world-class individuals
You are the backward one, sir! So far back, you are unable to see all the good things ahead of you.
She is from St. Joe, but Penville or not she is Dominican and she has made us all so very proud. Now the British knows she is British, but she was Dominican first. CONGRATULATIONS BARONESS SCOTLAND. Scotland from Dominica! Is like Africa from Dominica, or Ceylon from Dominica. We have been always proud of you. We love you!
Good things do come from SEN JOE. I am so proud of you Baroness Scotland. I can hear your dad telling me that you have made him proud again.
CONGRATULATIONS
Brilliant well done!
There are many who thrive past the rhetoric within the climatically politically drawn down abased opinions that so many convey on Dominicans . We have the ability to learn to rise to lead and to change the course of history despite what some think. Every person on the face of the earth is a high value target. once the environment is condusive to posiitivey charged to fuel ts growth. Dominica has come a long way from the days of a darkened political sphere to a more enlightened bolstering and thriving economy, that maybe slow for some but considering so many barriers to overcome, it would take many leadership cycles to bring this country to its current state.
For those of us in diaspora we may be biased to a certain political party, but the cylcle of government and governing is not for the faint at heart, the Dominica leadership has to constantly look in to its future and attempt to paint a politically and social environment to tod two things, one to attract foreign investors from all segments and to keep its citizens from being attracted to other opportunities elswhere. So we ask the question if Miss Baroness had lived her life in Dominica would she have attained such honor!? So as much as we applaud her for her contribution to the Britons. It is now we must look within the eyes of each child and ensure that we optimize the value of a great education at the earliest possible age.
Every child can learn to become great
This is why the Pepper should not deprive the two and a half year olds from an early education. Why can’t two and a half year olds enter the education system? Please Mr. Pepper, before you leave, get rid of this backward move. If you cannot do it, let Dimples do it for you.
Two thumbs up for Baroness Patricia Scotland. Well done!
Congratulations Baroness Scotland and correction Penvillian in London she is actually from the village of St. Joseph.
She if from St.Joseph, I was their neighbor. sorry Penvillian.
Her mother is a Mourillon from Vielle Case and her father was from Antigua. Her parents resided in St Joseph and adopted the village. So no one is incorrect!
Amidst the many controversy which has befallen our island, our nationals continue to flourish in other areas of the world. Congratulations baroness. Make us proud.
Patricia Scotland is from Penville and the Title of Baroness was conferred on her by the British Monarchy, hence, Baroness Patricia Scotland
She if from St.Joseph, I was their neighbor. sorry Penvillian.
Aye aye you are very wrong about that but I will not enter into a tete-a-tete with you, she is DOMINICAN, whether St Joseph or Penville… But get your facts straight…smile