{"id":308689,"date":"2023-09-27T11:51:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T15:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=308689"},"modified":"2023-09-28T11:07:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T15:07:52","slug":"historic-election-of-first-female-and-kalinago-head-of-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/historic-election-of-first-female-and-kalinago-head-of-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Update: Historic election of first female and Kalinago head of state"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mrs Sylvanie-Burton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said while addressing parliament on Wednesday, that the election of Mrs. Sylvanie Burton to the office of President of Dominica should have been an opportunity to rally around one candidate.<\/p>\n

Burton, a nominee of the Roosevelt-Skerrit-led administration was duly elected as the first female President of the Commonwealth of Dominica by 20 members during the Fifth Meeting of the First Session of the Eleventh Parliament.<\/p>\n

Her opponent, Mrs. Anette Sanford, who is also of Kalinago descent, received five votes. Burton will replace outgoing President, His Excellency Charles Angelo Savarin, as his second five-year term comes to an end on October 1, 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe election of Mrs. Sylvanie Burton to the office of President of Dominica should have really been an opportunity for us to rally around one candidate and show the world that on some things there can be unity of purpose,\u201d Prime Minister Skerrit said.<\/p>\n

He continued,\u201d There should really not have been any reason for there not to have been one candidate, but that\u2019s the democratic process and everybody has a right to determine how they do things and when they do things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, Mr. Skerrit indicated that this has not robbed the country of making history.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has not robbed women of an opportunity to be grateful and that a woman, the first time in the history of our country has been recognized and elevated to this high office,\u201d he noted. \u201cIt will not rob the Kalinago people, the first people of our country to have an opportunity that was lost in terms of the process, but not the outcome of having the first Kalinago person elected to the highest office.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said focus should be placed on the positive side of this rather than the negative. He believes that every woman in Dominica and the world should be celebrating today. Furthermore, Mr. Skerrit told the young people of Dominica that their future should not be determined by his or her circumstances, \u201cespecially if you are in or have been in a difficult circumstance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChallenges must be an opportunity for us to dig deeper into our God-given talents and purpose in life and to say to ourselves that notwithstanding the odds we are facing that we can overcome,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Parliamentary Representative for the Salybia Constituency, Cozier Frederick congratulated Mrs. Burton.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has made us proud, I think our ancestors are proud to know that we have the Kalinago who despite many years of discrimination can be highlighted across the spectrum,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He went on to state that deep down he is saddened that the country lost a unique opportunity to show the rest of the region and the world that, \u201cwhile we are building a climate resilient country we can also continue to build a resilient people who can join forces at a certain point in our history to ensure that we have unity across the spectrum.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representative for the Castle Bruce Constituency Octavia Alfred said as the District Development Officer, Mrs. Burton’s work brought the realization of several development projects within that constituency.<\/p>\n

She thanked the Prime Minister for presenting this nominee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is proof that women in Dominica are granted equal and full voice, participation, and leadership everywhere and in every aspect and for making the case that we need the essential role of women of courage in the vision of the achievement of sustainable development, peace, and security,\u201d Alfred stated.<\/p>\n

She said Mrs. Burton has demonstrated through her life and work and her leadership in governance, diplomacy, and women’s empowerment that women make a difference, \u201cnot just a small difference, but a big and crucial one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is an incredible role model for our women and girls and men and boys too,\u201d Alfred said.<\/p>\n

Mrs. Burton will be sworn in as the new President on Monday, October 2, 2023.<\/p>\n