The first female Custos of St. Elizabeth, Hon. Beryl Hope Rochester, was officially installed at a ceremony held at Independence Park in Black River, on Thursday March 27.
Custos Rochester’s appointment brings to six the number of female Custodes who are serving island wide.
A wide cross-section of the St. Elizabeth community, were in attendance, including members of the clergy, Justices of the Peace, and hundreds of friends and family of Custos Rochester.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, who represented Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, at the ceremony, highlighted that Custos Rochester is the second female Custos to be installed in recent weeks.
He said such accomplishment is an indication of the fact that women continue to serve in various positions of leadership in the country.
“Our female leaders continue to excel in several areas of endeavour, and their contribution to community and nation building stand as beacons of achievement, which beckon and encourage even more women to truly shatter the glass ceiling, which still exists, and to step boldly into our boardrooms and into the corridors of power,” he stated.
Mr. Clarke issued a special appeal for more Jamaican women to get involved in the political process, and become political leaders.
He challenged women to use the life of Custos Rochester as an inspiration to step forward and get involved.
He congratulated the new Custos, and commended her commitment to nation building.
In her response, Custos Rochester expressed gratitude for the appointment, noting the sacrifices and services of those who have served before her.
She pledged to “continue the rich legacy of service to our people”, and assured that the duties and challenges that come with the post will be taken seriously.