Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Chief Justice and Virgin Islands native Janice Pereira was officially honoured as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire at an investiture ceremony Monday at the Government House.
Ms. Pereira, formerly Janice George-Creque, was appointed Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2013, but duties as chief justice of the appeals court postponed for more than a year the ceremonial presentation of the insignia and royal warrant by Governor Boyd McCleary.
During her acceptance speech, the chief justice said that while she at first wanted to accept the title without pomp and circumstance, she was honoured to have so many of her friends and colleagues show up to the event.
She added that being the first Virgin Islander to receive the honour is more than just a personal achievement.
“This honour, in my view, is not just for me,” she said. “It’s for all the women and girls in the Virgin Islands.”
Ms. Pereira was born in Virgin Gorda and received her primary education there at the North Sound Primary School.
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