Dame Marcella Althea LiburdGCMGJP[1] (born 10 July 1953[2]) is a Kittitian politician who is the fifth governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis, serving since 2023. Trained as a teacher and then as a barrister and solicitor, Liburd was the first woman to serve as both the Speaker of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Governor-General, as well as the first Governor-General appointed by Charles III (rather than being carried over from Elizabeth II's reign). She has served in various Ministerial positions including Acting Prime Minister and Chair of the Opposition for the Labour Party. She was the first woman to serve as Chair in the 81-year-old organization’s history.
Liburd returned from abroad and began teaching at Basseterre and Cayon High Schools. She returned to her own studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Law with honours in 1992 from Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) where she continued her education, earning a Legal Education Certificate from NMLS in 1994. After Liburd's admission as a barrister and solicitor for the Eastern Supreme Court in 1994, she began a political career. She was appointed as Secretary of the Labour Party in 1997. In 2004, she became Speaker of the National Assembly,[3] the first woman to serve in that capacity in the country.[5] Liburd served until 2008, when she ran as a candidate for Constituency No. 2, St. Kitts and was elected as a Member of Parliament.[3]
Liburd has drafted legislation that includes the Domestic Violence Act and Equal Pay Act.[3] She has served as the Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs,[6] as well as Acting Prime Minister.[7] In 2011, Liburd was featured in an exhibit promoted by various departments of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis to highlight prominent women's accomplishments.[6]
Liburd with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, 5 May 2023
In 2013, Liburd became the first woman elected as Chair of the Labour Party in its 81-year history.[8] In 2015, the Labor Party was removed from office for the first time in twenty years, making her a member of the Opposition.[9] She became the first woman deputy leader of the National Labor Party in 2018 and was appointed as Governor-General’s Deputy in 2022.[10] Liburd was installed as the first woman to become Governor-General for the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis on 1 February 2023.[11] Later that week, she was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).[12][13]
"Marcella Liburd". Caribbean Elections. Warrens, Barbados: KnowledgeWalk Institute. 2016. Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
"Masses House Personalities". Historic Basseterre. Basseterre, St. Kitts: St. Kitts National Archives. 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
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