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Outstanding Bahamians: Her Excellency Dame Ivy Dumont, DCMG |
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 Her Excellency Dame Ivy Dumont, DCMG.
Active: October 2nd 1930-Present
November 2001 - 2002: Acting Governor General
2002 - 2005: Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Dame Ivy Leona Dumont was born on 2 October, 1930 in Roses, Long Island, where she spent her early childhood years. She received her primary education at the Government schools at Roses and Buckleys, and her high school education at Government High School, New Providence. After leaving high school Dame Ivy entered the field of education moving through the system: firstly, as a student teacher, then as a classroom teacher, a Head Teacher, and Education Officer and as Deputy Director of Education. She culminated her career as a public servant at the Ministry of Works and Utilities where she served as Deputy Permanent Secretary for three years from 1975 to 1978.
Accomplishments: In 1978 after serving thirty years in the Public Service, Dame Ivy joined NatWest Trust Corporation (Bahamas) Limited, now SG Hambros Bank and Trust (Bahamas) Limited, as a Training Officer. In the thirteen years which she spent with that company, Dame Ivy was promoted to Personnel Manager and then to Group Relations Manager, a position she held until her retirement in 1991.In 1946 Dame Ivy received the Cambridge Junior Certificate; she gained the Cambridge Senior Certificate in 1947. In 1952 Dame Ivy received a certificate as an Associate of the College of Preceptors, a British Organization, and in 1954 she was awarded a Teacher's Certificate by the Bahamas Teachers College. She furthered her training in the United States of America on a Fulbright Grant as a participant in the International Teacher Development Programme, in 1962/1963.
From 1968 - 1970 Dame Ivy continued her studies at the University of Miami where she earned a Bachelor of Education degree; and she earned a doctorate in Public Administration (DPA) from Nova University (1976 - 1978). Dame Ivy also participated in a number of in-service workshops and public service courses over the years.
Dame Ivy is an active member of Emmanuel Gospel Chapel where she formerly served as a Sunday School Teacher. She is Past President of the United Sisters Fellowship of the Assemblies of Brethren, a former Awana Team Leader, a founding member and Past President of Women's Aglow International (Bahamas). She is a Bible Teacher/Speaker at Ladies' Retreats, Seminars and Workshops.
Dame Ivy was married to Mr. Reginald Deane Dumont (deceased-December 2011) and is the mother of two children; Cheddie Dean Dumont and Edda Dumont Adolph and the grandmother of four; Deidre, Jihan and Cheddi Dumont and Kobé Paul Adolph
Her hobbies include dressmaking and design, upholstery and soft crafts, and the cultivation of roses.
In 1990 Dame Ivy was elected Secretary General of the Free National Movement (FNM). When the FNM became the Government on 19 August 1992, Dame Ivy began a new career. She was appointed as a Senator and Leader of Government business in the Senate and Minister of Health and Environment. From 1995 - 1999 Dame Ivy served as the Minister of Education and as the Minister of Education and Youth until 2001. Upon her retirement, Dame Ivy was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Commission with effect from 1 February, 2001.
In 1995 Dame Ivy was made a Dame Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (DCMG) by Her Majesty The Queen.
On 13 November, 2001 in an impressive ceremony witnessed by thousands of Bahamians, Dame Ivy was appointed to serve as Acting Governor-General of The Bahamas. She was confirmed in the position on 1 January, 2002.
Dame Ivy retired on November 30, 2005.
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Outstanding Bahamians: Sir Clifford Darling, Kt., J.P. |
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 Sir Clifford Darling, Kt., J.P.
Active: February 6, 1922 - December 27, 2011
Sir Clifford was born on February 6, 1922, on the island of Acklins to Charles and Aremilia Darling. He attended the Acklins Public School and went on to attend public schools on the island of New Providence.
Accomplishments: As a former taxicab driver Sir Clifford Darling served as general secretary of The Bahamas Taxicab union for eight years and as president for ten. In the early 1950s he was able to gain better treatment for taxi drivers by bargaining with Hotels. The hotels had their own transport system for visitors to and from the new Nassau International Airport and other destinations around the island. Resulting in many taxi drivers having only residents as passengers and no visitors to take from the airport.
The problem escalated November 1957, when the cab union led by Sir Clifford who was now President, blockaded and closed the International airport. This was followed by a general strike in January, 1958. With Sir Clifford’s help, an agreement among hotels, tour services and taxicab operators was reached.
As an early member of the Progressive Liberal Party Sir Clifford served as a senator from January 1964 to January 1967, and in a general election he was elected to the House of Assembly for the Englerston constituency. Serving from January 1967 to October 1969, at which time he was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of State.
In November of 1971, he was appointed Minister of Labour and National Insurance. Three years later on October 7th 1974, he introduced the National Insurance programme. In 1977 Sir Clifford was knighted by the Queen, re-elected for the Englerston Constituency and elected as speak of the house that same year.In the general elections of 1982 and 1987 Sir Clifford was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for the Englerston constituency and re-elected as Speaker of the house, a post he resigned on November 13th 1991. He also held the highest honour that can be bestowed on member of the Progressive Liberal Party, stalwart Councillor.
Adding to his accolades, on January 2nd, 1992, at Government House Sir Clifford Darling became the fourth Bahamian-Born Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, succeeding His Excellency Sir Henry Taylor, Kt., J.P., who retired just one day earlier on January 1st.
Sir Clifford passed away in hospital after a long illness, he is survived by his second wife, Lady Ingrid Darling (nee Smith), and seven children, Clifford Darling Jr., Andrea Darling-Thompson, Sharlene Hanna, Theresa McPhee, Rushena Darling, Lakreisha Darling and Charles Darling. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church, of the Masonic Prince Hall Lodge and the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in the World.
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