Ms Carter, the founder and president of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, was a desperately needed voice for Bermudians with mental or physical abilities.

She was born with muscular dystrophy in 1939 – a time when disabled children were generally kept at home and hidden from public view – and was wheelchair-bound by the time she was 11.

Young Margaret went against the grain when she was accepted at Mount St Agnes Academy.

She spent her life using her education for the benefit of others less fortunate, and left a remarkable legacy including:

• Summerhaven residence for people with physical disabilities.
• Children with disabilities being mainstreamed into the regular school system.
• Protection for people with disabilities against discrimination, through amendments to the Human Rights Act.
• Ramps on the streets and improved access in buildings.

As a child and young adult, Ms Carter was strongly supported by her parents. Her father, George Carter, built a hoist to help her get in and out of bed; her mother, also called Margaret Carter, fitted the family car with a hydraulic lift so that she could get in and out of the vehicle more easily.

She continued her education through her 20s, studying English and history which laid the groundwork for a psychology degree later in life.

As she entered her 30s, however, she grew concerned about how she would cope when her parents were no longer around.

To establish a network of social contacts, she placed an advert in a newspaper, inviting disabled people to get in touch. Together with the people who responded, she formed the BPHA – a group which campaigned for better access to jobs, public facilities, education and transport.

After four years of campaigning, in 1974, the government relented to pressure and carried out a survey to find out how many Bermuda residents had disabilities. The wheels were finally turning, and over the next few years, government policies were put in place.

One of Ms Carter’s biggest triumphs came in 1984 when, following a huge fundraising campaign, Summerhaven was opened near John Smith’s Bay in Smith’s. It meant residents with disabilities could live in semi-independence instead of being institutionalised and stigmatised in hospitals.

Bermuda hosted its first Access Awareness Conference in 1983; the Human Rights Act was amended to protect people with disabilities in 1988; hydraulic lifts were added to buses in the 1980s; and the Government hired a specialist employment officer to support disabled people in 1990.

There were also many smaller, less heralded, advances thanks to Ms Carter’s work. Elevators were installed at Bermuda National Library and City Hall, for example, after she demonstrated how difficult it was in a wheelchair. A swimming pool was introduced at St Brendan’s hospital, to provide therapy for disabled people.

By the 1990s, the BPHA had about 150 members, including disabled and non-disabled people, and Ms Carter said they had begun “to ask for more things and to point out needs”.

Ms Carter died after a stroke in 1992, when she was 53. Access Awareness Week became an annual event for several years, organised by the BPHA every June to coincide with Ms Carter’s birthday.

In 2015, the Opportunity Workshop support centre, near the National Sports Centre, changed its name to the K. Margaret Carter Centre, in recognition of Ms Carter’s life’s work championing the cause of people with disabilities.

During Disability History Month last November, the Government heralded Ms Carter as it pledged support for the Disability Advisory Council and Ageing and Disability Services and work towards improving accessibility, enhancing services, strengthening accountability across systems and ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in public life.

• Sources for this article include The Royal Gazette archives and Bermuda Biographies.

The post Voice for the vulnerable appeared first on RG Magazines.

Born in 1887, Ms Scott’s grandparents were former slaves, and she grew up in a world blighted by racism and prejudice.

Her list of achievements is extraordinary. To name just a few:

• In 1921, she established the Shady Rest Nursing Home in Somerset, which she managed for four decades.
• In 1927, she cofounded Sandys Secondary School, which she spearheaded during its early years.
• In 1944, she was a member of the Bermuda Woman Suffrage Society which won women the right to vote.
• In 1948, she was one of Bermuda’s first four women to run for Parliament.

One of ten children, Ms Scott grew up in a large family with a heart for social justice.

Her father, John Scott, was a Dockyard worker and an active member of the Victoria and Albert United Order of Oddfellows lodge, an organisation that gave Black Bermudians economic and social support throughout the 1800s and 1900s.

Groundbreaking nurse

Mr Scott also worked at the Royal Naval Hospital, which might have inspired his daughter’s early ambition to be a nurse.

There were no training facilities for Black nurses in Bermuda at that time, but her father discovered opportunities were available at Lincoln Hospital in New York, which had recently formed a connection with the island.

In 1912, Ms Scott became the second Bermudian to graduate from Lincoln as a registered nurse, a year after Mabel Crawford had become the first.

Qualification was one thing – getting a job back home, however, was another.

Racial barriers meant employment was impossible at the Cottage Hospital or King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but, undeterred, Ms Scott spent several years working as a midwife and private duty nurse.

At one stage, she was reported to have been responsible for delivering “almost every baby in Somerset”.

In her mid-30s, she founded Shady Rest Nursing Home at her family home in the West End, where she worked until she retired in 1966.

The facility served as a home away from home for six elderly patients, and included a small clinic, where Ms Scott would administer first aid and provide care for sick or injured community members.

Pioneering educator

Like her father, Ms Scott was an active member of the United Order of Oddfellows, who aimed to enlighten the Black community through education.

Several attempts had been made to form high schools in Somerset during the early 1900s, but none had survived in the long term. Known for her strong and dynamic personality, Ms Scott made it her next ambition to turn that around.

Costs were prohibitive, and many people argued they would have been better off supporting Berkeley Institute instead; but Ms Scott and some like-minded individuals persisted and, in October 1927, their dream became a reality.

Sandys Secondary School was formed in the living room of the Foley family, with 176 girls and one boy enrolled as pupils.

The early years saw numerous challenges, as the school faced bounced from location to location and faced continual cash constraints.

Ms Scott was front and centre of the battle to keep it alive, as secretary and treasurer – and, after mortgaging her own home, financial provider.

The school finally found a permanent home on Scott’s Hill Road, where it was adopted by the Bermuda Government as a fully funded public school in 1963.

Suffragette

During the first half of the 20th Century, Bermuda’s suffragette movement had been gathering momentum at a frustratingly slow pace.

Many believe the Bermuda Women Suffrage Society’s progress was held back by a perception that it was White and upper class.

Ms Scott – a staunch supporter of women’s rights – was one of its few Black members, serving on its executive committee, and understood to be a good friend of the leader, Gladys Morrell.

The tide finally began to change in 1942, after Ms Morrell made a rousing speech at a forum at the Pembroke Hamilton Club, encouraging Black people to join. This swelled the organisation’s numbers and prompted lawmakers to take notice.

A bill to enfranchise women was passed in April 1944, becoming law a month later.

Trailblazing politician

Now that women could vote, the next step was getting into Parliament.

Ms Scott became a prominent member of the newly formed Bermuda Women’s Civic and Political Association, which aimed to deliver the island’s first female MPs.

Ever the frontrunner, Ms Scott was one of four women candidates at the 1948 General Election. Although she was not elected, she could claim to being part of a winning team as two of her colleagues, Hilda Aitken and Edna Watson, were successful.

Anyone for tennis?

Ms Scott’s accomplishments were not restricted to the professional, educational and political spheres.

A keen tennis player at the lodge, she also built her own tennis court, founded the Shady Rest Lawn Tennis Club, was a founder member of the Somers Isle Tennis Club, and took part in overseas tennis tournaments.

She encouraged other women to play tennis to help keep them fit, and it’s likely that her love of the sport fostered her friendship with fellow tennis fan, Ms Morrell.

Legacy

Ms Scott was awarded the British Empire Medal for her contribution to Bermuda in 1954, and one of the houses at Sandys Secondary School is named after her.

Yet for people who remember Alice Scott, she was a woman of the people who did remarkable things for the community she loved.

Former public works minister, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, named Ms Scott as his hero in a 2015 article in The Royal Gazette.

“She was a nurse and midwife who travelled around Somerset on a pedal bike,” he recalled.

“She was a short lady whose feet couldn’t touch the ground when she sat on it, so she would often ask people for a boost to get going.

“She would ask you to hold your hands like a step so she could get on the bike. She was an amazing woman.”

• Sources for this article include The Royal Gazette archives and Bermuda Biographies.

The post Hero with a huge heart appeared first on RG Magazines.

They may be the most demanding bosses I’ve ever had, but come on, they’re also the cutest. Often, literally, at the same time. I mean, who else could have a mini breakdown because they (checks notes) don’t know where their crayons are (in the craft drawer), insist they haven’t seen them in ages (was colouring before bed last night) and that it is therefore somehow my fault that they didn’t see the pouch right in front of them (yeah, I totally made them blind).

Then, of course, two seconds later they curl up against me and tell me I’m the best mommy they have ever had. Yes, I do realise I’m their only mother, but the sentiment is real. Exhausting, but adorable.

Parenting is hard most days, rewarding most days and so very tiring all of the days. There are times when I feel like me and daddy are starring in one of those kidnapping movies, where the captors are a bit nuts, but since we have Stockholm syndrome it’s all good.

Like any demanding job, it’s crucial that we maintain some work-life balance. Or should I say kids-me balance? Either way, while we pour so much energy into taking care of the loves of our lives, we need to remember to keep some of that energy.

Being Supermom is no good if you ignore the “me” part of your job. As in, me needs some time away from those terrors. Did I say terrors? Obviously, I meant angels. Yep, angel faces and voices, drill sergeant attitudes.

After three kids I have learned to carve out some time for myself. With everything we do for them, taking a moment to breathe is something we absolutely need to do for ourselves. If only just to make sure we have the energy to jump back into the ring. Round Two!

Of course, what that looks like differs for each person. For me, I like to curl up with a book, build some Lego, do diamond painting or even find an hour or two to do some pampering, like a massage or mani-pedi.

Of course, it takes some time-wrangling but getting buffed, body-wise, can be just the thing that lets me have the patience to not tear my hair out when I have asked the little one to hurry up and get her shower… for the fifth time that night.

That’s another one, a salon visit with a mini head massage feel like a fair trade for all the times I do actually pull my hair out.

Seriously, we only have so much gas in the tank. So, an integral part of taking care of those beautiful and amazing tiny ones is making sure we keep the engine going. We can’t give more to them if we don’t also remember to give some to ourselves. It makes us better parents and better humans in general.

So, the next time you have to start the countdown to three (two… two and quarter… don’t make me say three!), start a second countdown to your “you time”. Set the timer, lock yourself in the bathroom (after the munchkin’s long- awaited shower), and just take a breath. Because being rested and refueling truly is the best thing you can do for those tiny dictators — and yes, the crayons were in the craft drawer after all. Fancy that.

The post Diary of a Frazzled Mom appeared first on RG Magazines.

Employment attorney Juliana Snelling, director at Canterbury Law Limited, provided some advice on this difficult subject.

Sexism versus sex discrimination

“Sexism refers to beliefs, attitudes or biases which are objectionable but not illegal,” Ms Snelling said.

“For example, the belief that all women are best suited to staying home and looking after babies or that men should not show emotions.

“In contrast, sex or gender discrimination is the illegal action or outcome that results from sexist beliefs.”

Examples of breaking the Human Rights Act include paying women less than men to do the same job with the same qualifications; or refusing to hire or promote a person because she is female.

Ms Snelling added: “Gender (sex) is a protected characteristic under the Act and therefore it is illegal to discriminate or harass someone in the workplace based on gender.

“The Act provides that no employee may be harassed in the workplace by their employer or by another employee, based on their gender.”

The Act also provides that harassment takes place when a person persistently engages in comment or conduct towards another person which is vexatious and which he knows, or should know, is unwelcome.

Ms Snelling said some women worry that reporting sexism could harm their career progression.

“This is a real concern for some women,” Ms Snelling said.

“Their conundrum is whether they report sexism for fear that this may lead to retaliation because they are dubbed a troublemaker.”

Bullying and sexual harassment

Since 2021, all employers in Bermuda must give their employees a written statement of employment with details about the existence of the employer’s written policy against bullying and sexual harassment and how to access the policy.

“In addition, they must have a clear written policy against bullying and sexual harassment, the policy must be presented to each employee on the commencement of their employment; and employees must be trained on understanding the policy,” Ms Snelling said.

The Ministry of Labour can provide a template policy statement on comprehensive bullying and sexual harassment.

Legal advice

“If an employee resigns because the workplace feels intolerable, that is called a constructive dismissal,” Ms Snelling said.

“It is extremely important to seek legal advice before resigning on this ground because the employer will often immediately cut the employee off of any further pay and benefits, as well as assert that the employee has breached their contractual duty to give notice of termination and thus threaten to sue the employee for breach of contract.”

But what if you think your experience “isn’t bad enough” to justify reporting?

Ms Snelling advised: “Keep a detailed diary of all the negative experiences, including who said or did what, on what date, where, and in whose presence and, if the offensive comment was in writing, print the document and take it home.

“Be sure to build a good solid case before you take the drastic step of declaring constructive dismissal or filing a complaint against the employer which could negatively affect your career.”

She said you should have the courage to tell the person that you are not OK with their comments or actions.

Make your message firm and respectful such as: “That went too far. I am asking that you never say or do that again to me.”

Record that you asked the person to stop and record their response.

“You can then take your diary to a lawyer to see if you have a case for constructive dismissal if the situation does not improve,” Ms Snelling said.

The post Breaking the silence appeared first on RG Magazines.

Among these remarkable leaders is Laurie Shiell, whose 18-year tenure as executive director of the Centre Against Abuse showcases a journey of compassion, strategic foresight and transformative leadership. 

Still, the questions beckons: why is Bermuda’s non-profit sector comprised of a disproportionate number of women?

Mrs Shiell joined Nicola Paugh, executive director of the Nonprofit Alliance of Bermuda, to weigh in on the sector’s gender dynamics, illustrating the accomplishments and challenges faced by women in leadership roles.

Women leadership in non-profits

The NAB, under Dr Paugh’s guidance, serves as a hub for 78 charitable organisations, strengthening and unifying non-profit efforts across the island.

“What we consistently observe is that the sector is overwhelmingly run and delivered by women,” Dr Paugh reported.

“Across our membership, we estimate that approximately 80 per cent of non-profit leaders are women.”

This trend holds true in staffing patterns as well, with women making up 71 per cent of the non-profit workforce, according to data from the Centennial Bermuda Foundation.

These figures, while highlighting the dominant role of women in non-profits, also bring to light several significant challenges. Dr Paugh emphasised that the sector, though rich in female leadership, continues to struggle with systemic issues like underpayment and undervaluation — common pitfalls that disproportionately impact women and exacerbate gender pay disparities.

Bridging frontline realities

Mrs Shiell gives life to the statistics by describing her hands-on role at the Centre Against Abuse.

Each day’s work is as unpredictable as it is vital, as she manages a slew of non-profit leadership demands.

“I may begin the day with a clear plan of what I intend to work on, but that can change instantly if a client needs urgent support, such as accompaniment to the police station to make a formal report,” she said.

“My day may include attending court to support a client in applying for a Domestic Violence Protection Order or accompanying them during a criminal trial where charges have been laid.”

From drafting funding proposals and grant requests, to designing public awareness initiatives, and following up with the police and the Department of Public Prosecutions regarding clients’ cases, no two days are the same.

“This work requires constant flexibility, responsiveness and a victim-centred approach.” she added.

Far from seeing the dominance of women in leadership as a pressure, Mrs Shiell champions it as a responsibility and an advantage.

“Many women lead non-profit organisations in Bermuda because we are often deeply attuned to the gaps in our society and feel a strong responsibility to respond to them,” she said.

This role is not a burden but a privilege, one that involves “mobilising resources, building networks, and creating solutions where systems fall short”

The drive to protect, enhance and empower others, Mrs Shiell notes, is central to matriarchal nurturing.

Challenges and rewards

Mrs Shiell speaks candidly about the practicalities and emotional toll of operating in a sector where urgent needs clash with limited resources.

Yet, the challenges reinforce, rather than diminish, the value of the work.

Mrs Shiell said: “There are times when I am supporting clients through trauma and crisis while managing personal stress in my own life.

“Even in those moments, I must remain fully present, calm and compassionate, giving each client my complete attention and support.”

She maintained that carrying the weight of others’ experiences, while also maintaining professional boundaries and personal wellbeing, required constant self-awareness and resilience.

Despite these challenges, the work is “deeply meaningful” and “seeing clients and domestic abuse survivors regain safety, confidence and independence makes the emotional labour worthwhile”.

Impact beyond services

Mrs Shiell’s pride in her work is evident when she discusses the Centre’s broader impact.

By helping survivors achieve safety and stability there is a positive ripple effect — children witnessing healthy relationships, families breaking harmful cycles and broader cultural shifts towards respect and non-violence.

“Through CAA’s prevention and education programmes, professional training and advocacy, we help shape community norms toward respectful relationships, consent and non-violence,” she explained.

“We also impact the lives of children who now understand that they have a choice in having healthy relationships.”

Legacy of empowerment

Mrs Shiell began her career in human resources as a relationship manager, which helped prepare her for the multifaceted demands of non-profit leadership.

“I learnt how to truly listen to people, understand their needs and identify how I could help them thrive,” she said.

Today, she applies those principles to empower individuals facing crises, leveraging a deep understanding of human needs to guide her approach.

Her path to non-profit work is also deeply personal.

“I feel as if God was preparing me for this role all my life,” she said.

Her grandmother, Nona Simmons, endured domestic abuse in her childhood household but broke the cycle by intentionally teaching her children and grandchildren the importance of safe and respectful relationships.

“Every day, I strive to carry forward her vision,” Mrs Shiell explained. “The work I do honours my grandmother, whose hope was that domestic abuse would not continue with her offspring and descendants.

“Helping families break cycles of abuse and build lives grounded in safety, respect and choice is the mission I’ve dedicated myself to.”

Empathy and influence

The high number of women leading non-profits reflects society’s feminine values of care, problem-solving and community support, and underlines their commitment to empathy, resilience and social betterment.

Yet, passion alone can’t sustain these efforts.

Mrs Shiell and Dr Paugh said structural changes are essential, including consistent funding and equal recognition as corporate leaders.

“There needs to be a societal shift to recognise and respect non-profit leadership,” Mrs Shiell said. “Managing people, processes and resources requires the same skills as a CEO, yet often non-profits receive less acknowledgment and greater criticism.”

For the non-profit sector to thrive in the long run, acknowledging and valuing this expertise is essential.

The post Women at the helm appeared first on RG Magazines.

She had to learn how to stand her ground, first in Bermuda and then in the UK, where she is executive head chef at Three Little Birds in Leicester.

“The biggest advice I would give is stand up for yourself – 100 per cent stand up for yourself – in the kitchen area as it’s definitely a male-dominated field,” she said.

“I knew from the beginning I had to be one of the boys and it’s hard work. It’s not an easy job to do.”

That mindset has shaped her career both in Bermuda and now in the UK. Since moving there she has worked with Michelin-star chef John Duffin, been a research and development chef at the Toro’s Steakhouse chain, tried her hand in a smoke pit and led her own Caribbean eatery, Gwan Easy.

More recently, she has been putting her stamp on the dishes at Three Little Birds, the restaurant she joined in August.

Customers there can try a Trinidadian hot sauce, Bajan saltfish fritters, and “an island-style fish and chips” similar to the type served here. Unlike the traditional British version, which typically uses cod or haddock, her take draws on warm-water fish more familiar in Bermuda: snapper, grouper and wahoo.

That influence also shows up in familiar comfort food, prepared the way she learnt at home.

“I make my macaroni how I make it in Bermuda at the restaurant. I’ll use red Leicester cheese instead of our sharp yellow cheddar that we have,” Ms Smith said.

“However, I try to get it as much as possible as the way we do it. I add a little tomato sauce to it and so forth. They’re small things however, they make a huge impact on the dishes.”

Island touch

Her approach reflects the balance she has had to strike while finding ways to introduce Bermudian flavours to diners accustomed to global cuisine.

“I had to mix it or fuse it with Indian or Asian, something to get the consumers’ attention,” said the chef. “They’re used to seeing absolutely every type of food possible in this country, it’s very hard to convince them of something that’s new or different.”

For that reason, she has not yet added codfish to her breakfast menu. When she does, it will likely be introduced alongside ackee and saltfish as part of a gradual roll-out.

Three Little Birds blends Caribbean cuisine with music culture, hosting R&B and reggae brunches and vinyl sessions on Sundays. The concept stems from the background of the restaurant’s owner, who also operates one of Leicester’s largest nightclubs, as well as ventures in radio and music production.

“We’re pretty busy, we’re sold out on weekends, and it’s early in the year,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s that Bermuda spirit. At every restaurant that I’ve worked at here in the UK, I’ve just excelled with that: being able to get people to come in and enjoy the food. They think it’s really, really good. They’ve never had food like it before, that type of experience.”

In 2021, she left Bermuda with her children in search of broader educational opportunities in the UK. Professionally, the move accelerated her career.

“I’ve just kept learning. That was my biggest thing: keep moving on, take all the information you can possibly learn out here so that you’re ready when you want to come back home.”

Those experiences also placed her in positions where she had to assert authority over male colleagues, something she says was not always easy.

As a research and development chef, she had to train men.

“It was kind of hard, but then they ended up having a lot of respect for me, because I don’t play in the kitchen,” she said.

“I told them how it was going to go, and if they didn’t want to comply, then they could leave. It was up to them, but I was their boss.”

Bermuda dream

She credits her experience in Bermuda with helping establish her credibility when she arrived in the UK.

“I was fortunate to come out here with an amazing resume from Bermuda that basically gave me a platform to have a voice in the kitchen,” said the chef, who worked at The White Horse and the Newport Room at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.

While she encourages women entering the industry to be assertive, she also stresses the importance of maintaining individuality.

“But don’t lose your femininity in the kitchen because you end up being one of the guys,” she said. “What I always tell my female chefs is to remain as beautiful as possible in the kitchen regardless of how tough things are or how messy the work can get. As female chefs, we often forget that. We just go into the kitchen and work really hard, and you can get lost in that.”

The possibility of returning to Bermuda remains a strong pull, particularly following the passing of a chef she describes as deeply influential.

“The loss of my favourite chef, Daamian Simmons, was a hard miss for me,” she said. “He was very influential in making sure that Bermuda chefs stood out and showing people that we can do the same thing as everyone else. So he is a huge miss.”

Recent visits home have reinforced her sense that she could contribute new ideas to the local culinary scene.

“I’m considering coming back just for a couple of months to show chefs something different.”

She began studying culinary arts online while working full-time as a chef and raising her children but eventually had to step away from the programme. Much of what she learnt came from her experience in the kitchen.

“So going to culinary arts school is amazing but I feel if you really want to be a chef, you have to be passionate from the beginning,” Ms Smith said.

Her motivation remains rooted in the connection between food and the people who enjoy it.

“It’s really about the love of food and the hospitality industry and making people happy. Just the satisfaction of having a customer who’s worked all day or worked all week, come to your restaurant and enjoy your food – that’s the biggest accomplishment for me.”

The post Breaking the mould in the kitchen appeared first on RG Magazines.

Two women who have been there and done that spoke to us about why it is important for our young people to learn from their elders. 

Josette Smith, 58, has been a customs officer, counter clerk at the Post Office, taxi driver, hairdresser, and is now a bus driver. She’s seen many a social situation, is firm in her opinions on how to live life well and hopes to pass on her knowledge as she goes about her life.

Ruth Adams, 86, has been blessed with life, is a former nursery teacher who volunteers serving food and providing groceries to the community.

As a grandmother, she’s had the opportunity to pass on both hard and soft skills to family members and the community.

Aaliyah Roach, 24, is reaping the benefits as Ms Smith’s daughter and Ms Adams’ granddaughter.

She shares that she has learnt patience and how to think things through before actioning them from Ms Adams; and she picked up tenacity, nurturing skills, forgiveness, the ability to be humble, and diligence from Ms Smith.

We asked the matriarchs about some of their key life lessons.

What are the most important life lessons you’ve learned?

Ms Smith: To have patience and practice gratitude.

Ms Adams: Do good and you will be blessed by God. Wrong decisions and regrets will haunt you for the rest of your life.

What are the biggest changes you have seen in your lifetime?

Ms Smith: Lack of community-based neighborhoods, and our ability to be connected to the outside world.

Ms Adams: There is a lot of temptation in the world due to the increased usage of cellphones amongst adults and children.

How have you coped with significant challenges or changes?

Ms Smith: Learning to adapt, taking courses, asking questions, and seeking assistance.

Ms Adams: Lots of prayer! Asking the Lord for protection, direction, and guidance for everyone involved.

What do you think is the key to a happy or successful life?

Ms Smith: Peaceful settings. Having hobbies. Loving family. Creating memorable moments.

Ms Adams: Putting God in full control each and every day.

What’s a family tradition that you hope continues?

Ms Smith: Passing on recipes and experimenting together with a new set of eyes on old recipes.

Ms Adams: To be there for each other during good, bad, and especially difficult times. I’d like to continue our yearly New Year’s game day where we have fun together without distraction.

What’s something you wish more people knew about your life or experiences?

Ms Smith: My experiences have taught me to keep pushing forward and react in a calm manner.

Ms Adams: That I am not perfect and never will be.

What’s the best part about getting older?

Ms Smith: Watching my children and grandchildren grow up into the best version of themselves. The little things mean a lot.

Ms Adams: Just knowing that God is supplying me with health and strength each day.

What skills do you have that have helped you in some way throughout your life?

Ms Smith: My ability to ignore noise has kept me out of trouble. Upholstery and sewing have helped me create a comfortable and peaceful environment at home. Cooking and baking bring a yummy calmness into my space.

Ms Adams: Cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and teaching others the same.

Do you think it’s important for younger people to learn some dying skills like weaving, map-reading or mental mathematics?

Ms Smith: Yes, it’s instrumental to their survival, success, and wellbeing.

Ms Adams: Definitely, yes! They need to use the gifts that God has given them.

What skills do you think are important for young people to learn in Bermuda now?

Ms Smith: Learning how to maintain themselves by learning how to do laundry, following a recipe step by step, stress management skills, self-awareness, coping with stress and decision making. These basic skills can make a break an individual.

Ms Adams: I believe they need many as technology has taken away from basic life skills. I think young people need to learn how to own up to their own mistakes. Strong skills to learn would be how to save and manage their money better as times get harder – not spending it on things that are wants but essentials to living day to day.

What are your hopes for future generations?

Ms Smith: That they succeed at their best potential. That they have joy. Continuously be God-fearing, noble individuals. Being kind to each other. Enjoying life to the fullest.

Ms Adams: To achieve their own positive goals in life and acceptance of Christ.

The post Passing the baton appeared first on RG Magazines.

To find out, we turned to those who will soon inherit the professional world: high school students.

CedarBridge Academy Class of 2026 students Riley Darrell (female, 17) and Citayo Outerbridge (male, 18) shared their candid thoughts on sexism, equality and the roles they expect to play in reshaping society.

Their insights reveal a generation that is thoughtful, pragmatic and determined to move beyond stereotypes.

When asked what ‘gender relations’ means to them, the students described it as the interaction between men and women, and how society views and treats them differently.

“To me, gender relations are the relationships and the interactions between males and females, and how we view them differently in society, and how that affects everyone’s day-to-day lives,” Riley explained.

It is not just about personal relationships, they suggested, but about expectations, assumptions and social dynamics. For them, gender relations shape opportunities, workplace treatment and even family life. The concept is broad, touching everything from professional ambitions to who changes diapers at home.

The discussion soon turned to the gender wage gap, and both students were clear in their stance. Citing the widely debated statistic that women earn roughly 81 to 85 cents for every dollar earned by men in the United States, they expressed frustration.

“I feel like that’s unfair,” Riley said. “If they’re doing the same amount of work and have the same qualifications and education, then the pay should also be the same. Being a female doesn’t make you any less qualified.”

For these teenagers, equal pay is not a radical demand – it’s common sense. Their response reflects a broader generational attitude: fairness is non-negotiable. Citayo agreed that there is no justification for unequal compensation when qualifications and performance are equal.

This emphasis on merit suggests that the next generation may place increased pressure on employers to justify disparities – and to correct them.

When the idea of traditional gender roles was presented, the students expressed distinct scepticism. Historically, men have been seen as breadwinners and women as caregivers. Are these roles still relevant?

“I don’t feel like you can really base a person’s abilities on their gender,” Citayo said.

It should be about choice

At the same time, they acknowledged that some physical differences exist. Physically demanding jobs may statistically attract more men, just as caregiving roles have historically attracted more women. But the key distinction, they argued, is between choice and limitation.

A woman can work on an oil rig if she wants to. A man can stay home and raise children if that is the best fit for his family. The problem arises when society dictates what someone should do based solely on gender.

Perhaps the most telling part of the interview came when the students were asked how they would respond to sexism in their future careers.

“I won’t tolerate it,” Citayo declared firmly. “I’d report it or try to stop it.”

Riley agreed. The willingness to challenge unfair treatment – even at personal risk – signals a shift in mindset.

One hypothetical scenario posed: what if a job were offered to you, a male, and you knew a female with the same or better qualifications had applied for the same position?

Citayo, who plans on becoming an electrical engineer, responded that he would question whether he was truly the best candidate for the job. “Fairness,” he said, “matters more than personal gain.

“I respect fairness above all,” he emphasised.

That statement captures something powerful about this generation. They are not only concerned with equality when it benefits them personally – they are concerned with justice as a principle.

The students also spoke openly about their professional goals. Riley shared her ambition to become a neonatal surgeon, and instead of framing her goal as groundbreaking for a young woman, she spoke on it matter-of-factly. Women already occupy visible leadership roles in medicine; she has spoken to female doctors who serve as mentors and role models. Representation, it seems, matters.

She also stressed that success will come from hard work. “If I work hard enough, that’s going to show,” she said.

There’s a balance between acknowledging systemic issues and embracing personal responsibility. Both students recognise that inequality exists, but they also believe in their own abilities and agency.

Freedom and respect

When asked to define gender equality, their answers were straightforward: the freedom for anyone to do whatever they want, regardless of gender.

As the conversation expanded, however, the idea of equality evolved beyond gender roles – it became about valuing contributions equally.

One student pointed out that society often values corporate leadership more than caregiving. Yet both are essential. A CEO earning six figures and a stay-at-home parent raising children contribute in different – but equally important – ways.

This perspective reframes the conversation. The issue may not simply be who earns more, but how society assigns value. If caregiving were valued as highly as corporate leadership, would wage disparities look the same? Would status differences persist?

For these teenagers, equality is not about sameness – it’s about respect.

Looking ahead, both students envision partnerships built on shared responsibility. They expect to contribute financially to their households, while rejecting the notion that raising children is inherently a woman’s obligation.

“I don’t necessarily think women are better at raising children,” Riley reasoned. “I think they’ve grown up with that stereotype around them.”

In their future families, they imagine shared earning and shared caregiving – a partnership rather than a hierarchy. That expectation alone signals change. When young men and women both anticipate being breadwinners and caregivers, rigid divisions lose their power.

If these students are the gauge, then gender relations for the next generation are in a good place. A focus on social justice will bring an instinctive insistence on equal pay, a willingness to fight against sexism, a complete redefining of gender roles, and a stronger emphasis on valuing what each gender brings to the table – equally. 

The post ‘I won’t tolerate sexism’ appeared first on RG Magazines.

Ms Ray, 22, graduated from Loughborough University in Britain with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

In January, she began working as an actuarial consultant at EY in Bermuda. 

She said 2026 “has a lot of potential”.

“From a sporting perspective, I hope to help the Tigers win the netball league. In cricket, my goal is to play premier division cricket and establish myself at that level. Transferring to the Somerset league team is an important step in helping me achieve this. 

“Working with Janeiro Tucker and Mahesh Hatkar — both of whom are passionate about developing women’s cricket through 186HP Cricket Academy — would allow me to grow while being part of something bigger than just my own development.

“I also want to be involved in Cup Match training and work hard enough to earn an opportunity in the Cup Match trials. I aim to play in the Colt Cup Match again and deliver a strong team performance to win the cup and bring it back to Somerset.”

Ms Ray added: “From a career perspective, I hope to pass my actuarial exams on the first attempt and settle comfortably into my new role.”

Breaking barriers

The talented all-rounder left Bermuda at 14 to attend Sedbergh School in Cumbria, England, on a cricket scholarship.

Since then, she has played on Loughborough’s British Universities and Colleges Sport champion women’s team, been named substitute fielder for England in the historic women’s five-day Test match against Australia, opened twice for Flatts in the Athene T20 Knockout Cup, played for South Perth Cricket Club women’s team in Australia, and last year became the first woman to play in Somerset Cricket Club’s final Cup Match trial and in Colt Cup Match.

However, the journey has had its challenges.

At Sedbergh, Ms Ray missed her family and friends, and the warmer, drier Bermuda weather – but the experience humbled her and made her more independent and resilient.

Two years ago, a lower back stress fracture sidelined her for ten months. A sports psychologist helped Ms Ray to talk through the experience of wondering when, or if, she would feel like herself again.

“One of the most important things that process taught me was that I am more than just a cricket player. The journey back was long and demanding, but it reshaped me. 

“Rehab forced me to slow down and focus on the fundamentals — spending countless hours in the gym and rebuilding my skills from the ground up. In doing so, I became stronger, more functional, and more aware of my body.”

Returning, Ms Ray bowled nearly five miles per hour faster and her batting improvement allowed a transition from lower-order to middle-order.

“Being forced to slow down gave me something I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It taught me resilience, perspective, and that growth doesn’t always look like progress in the moment — but it can shape you in ways that last far longer.”

Of her successes, Ms Ray says two moments stand out.

“Winning the BUCS final at Lord’s during my final year at university remains one of my proudest achievements, as it represented three years of hard work both on the cricket field and in the classroom. Winning at Lord’s, alongside some of my closest friends, was an unforgettable experience.

“Becoming the first woman to take part in Colt Cup Match and Somerset Cup Match trials was something I never expected to happen in 2025. I attended Cup Match training to challenge myself and to place myself in a high-intensity environment. 

“Cup Match is a dream for every Bermudian cricketer, and being so closely involved in that space made me incredibly proud. The support I received from women across the island meant a great deal to me and made me feel truly backed throughout the journey.”

Overseas, Ms Ray admired the work ethic of English international cricketer Tammy Beaumont, her teammate on The Blaze, the East Midlands regional women’s team. 

“The standard she sets every day, both on and off the field, is incredibly inspiring, and seeing that level of commitment up close made a lasting impression on me.”

She added: “Having a role model is important because sometimes you need to see what is possible before you can fully believe it for yourself. 

“Role models show you that success is achievable through hard work, resilience, and consistency, and they help shape the standards you set for yourself.”

Inspiring others

Now, Ms Ray seeks to inspire Bermuda’s young female athletes.

“This isn’t just about women cricketers — it’s about women in sport as a whole. This matters deeply to me because I want any young girl in Bermuda who loves cricket to be able to play at home, without feeling that she has to leave in order to be taken seriously. For many, leaving home to pursue sport simply isn’t accessible, and it shouldn’t be a requirement to follow your passion or fulfil your potential.

“Growing up, it never felt as though women’s sport was truly taken seriously, and that feeling has stayed with me. All I have ever wanted — then and now — is to be in Bermuda, in my home, playing cricket alongside other women and girls. 

“While playing with the men presents a significant challenge, I will always support and admire any woman who puts herself forward to compete in male-dominated environments. I find it incredibly empowering to see women thrive in spaces where they have historically been underrepresented and perform at the same level.

“I would love to be that example for a young girl in Bermuda — someone she can look up to and see as proof that she can aspire to anything, and that her dreams are valid right where she is.”

Of her cricketing aspirations, Ms Ray said: “I would love the opportunity to play overseas again, but for now, I’m focusing on developing my cricket and career here in Bermuda. 

“I see this as a chance to strengthen my game, gain experience, and contribute to cricket locally.”

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It didn’t matter whether it was from the top of Somerset Bridge, a boat, or simply into a puddle. She was always destined to jump, and, as it turned out, she was at her best when doing it head first.

By the age of 21, she was competing at the pinnacle of her sport, representing Bermuda in the women’s 3m springboard at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Not only was she the island’s first diver to represent Bermuda at this level, but she was also the first Black woman to do so.

“It was a very lonely road, coming up, at that time,” she said. “As I branched out and went around the world, and dove, I was often the only Black child.”

That has now changed, and a driving force behind that change was Ms Horton-Perinchief.

A particular memory that has stuck with her since she was 18, was meeting a young Canadian girl of Haitian descent at a competition.

“Her dad was like, ‘100 percent, this is amazing, I’m so glad to see you,” she recalled. “I think that does something to you. If you see someone who’s doing it and they look like you.”

This young girl was Jennifer Abel who went on to become an Olympic diving medallist. 

People often ask Ms Horton-Perinchief, now 43, how it feels to be the first.

“I wish I hadn’t been,” she said.

“Why should you have to be breaking colour barriers ever? I love that today’s kids don’t have to break that barrier. That the sport has become so much more inclusive and overall, we’re seeing a lot more success from athletes of all backgrounds. That warms my heart.”

Overcoming challenges

Wherever you come from, an elite athlete’s path to the top of their sport is littered with challenges, and Ms Horton-Perinchief is grateful for her “wildly supportive family” and “incredibly supportive island”. 

Her family is from Somerset, but she grew up in Toronto. Her initial Olympic dream had been to compete as a gymnast, but when it became apparent she was going to be too tall for that sport, diving was the natural alternative.

“It’s a very similar sport, other than we maybe land on our heads and gymnasts land on their feet,” she laughed.

Her journey to the top involved training six days a week from the age of 12, every day after school and then all day on Saturdays. As she advanced, her family had to move closer to the pool so she could train before school as well.

After competing in Athens, Ms Horton-Perinchief wanted to qualify for one more Olympic games before retiring, but that was not meant to be.

“I was injured while training for the Beijing Olympics,” she said, and that meant she could not compete.

“It was always my plan to go to those two Olympics and then retire on my own terms, and unfortunately I didn’t get to make that choice.” 

From her own personal disappointment, however, came new legacies. 

In spite of her rigorous training schedule, she never took her eye off her academic studies and in 2013 she earned her Masters’ of Public Health from The George Washington University. After her injury, she moved back home to Bermuda and was appointed manager of the newly established Bermuda National Tumour Registry.

“We had never had a cancer registry, or any chronic disease registry since, and again, it was a ground-breaking endeavour in that it can help shape policy and process, but what I loved about it was it allowed me to use my public health background,” she said, adding: “I’m not averse to starting new things. To build something new from the ground up.” 

She is currently completing a doctorate in public health through the University of South Florida, which, she explained, “will be the culmination of my academic career.”

Supporting the next generation

She has, however, remained devoted to sport, in particular diving, and she has been on the World Aquatics judging list since she retired. 

To give back to both the sport, and to Bermuda, she completed her Masters’ of Business Administration (MBA) in 2013, and two years later established Star Diving, an award winning summer camp, which is still going strong 12 years later.

“Watching kids be introduced to a sport that grew me from the ground up is one of the greatest joys of my life,” Ms Horton-Perinchief said.

“To watch them take their power and say, ‘Wow, I can do something I didn’t think I could.’ Convincing kids that their limit is a lot closer to space than they ever would have imagined, it gives me goose bumps.”

Every year, just for the children, she dives off the 10m platform and while she admitted to being “a little bit more scared now,” she said “it’s still just as exhilarating to get up there.” 

She also gives back to sport through her work for the Bermuda Olympic Association, of which she is an executive board member and is proud to have been Bermuda’s Chef de Mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Could Bermuda produce another Olympic diver?

“Absolutely,” she said, but only if there is “political will to make sure that we have a facility that can allow for our kids to train year round.”

This doesn’t have to be an indoor aquatic facility, it could be what she calls a “dry land facility”. 

For any young girls with big dreams of making it to the top of their sport, she said: “You belong at the top of every single ladder, and so, as long as you are willing to do whatever it takes to climb that ladder, make sure that you keep going.

“Your gender, your race, your ability or disability should not be holding you back from achieving whatever it is that you need to achieve. 

“If the ladder doesn’t exist, go ahead and build that ladder.”

The post Diving in head first appeared first on RG Magazines.