CASTRIES, ST. Lucia – The Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, e Dame Janice M. Pereira, has been recognized by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Academy for Law as a pioneering Caribbean woman jurist.
Dame Janice (left) receives a copy of the publication from by Madam Louise Esther Blenman (OECS Commission Photo)The recognition celebrates the contribution of Caribbean women to the institutional and policy-making infrastructure of Caribbean society in areas such as the Judiciary, a field traditionally dominated by men.
Dame Janice was honored for her sterling contribution to the jurisprudence of the Eastern Caribbean and her leadership in the judiciary at the official launch of the book, Eminent Caribbean Jurists: Pioneering Caribbean Women Jurists earlier this week.
The book was presented to Dame Janice by Madam Louise Esther Blenman, Justice of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at a ceremony here. The book details the significant achievements of Dame Janice and other honorees.
Dame Janice created history on October 24, 2012 when she was sworn in as the first female Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court since its establishment in 1967.
She has the distinction of accomplishing many other ‘firsts’; namely, being one of the first female Virgin Islanders to be called to the Bar of the Virgin Islands; the first Virgin Islander to be appointed to the Bench of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and the first female to be appointed to the Court of Appeal – shattering many glass ceilings throughout her remarkable career.
“Dame Janice has brought to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court innate wisdom and a wealth of experience in the practice of law at both the public and private Bars. Her Ladyship’s philosophy is founded on the precept that the function of law is to promote justice and that the role of the Court is to apply the law in a just manner. Dame Janice’s transformational leadership style is encapsulated in a personality that is both engaging and composed, commanding both respect and admiration,” according to a statement issued by the St. Lucia-based Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission.
Dame Janice accepted the recognition on behalf of her parents as well as all the little girls of the Eastern Caribbean who dream of one day becoming Chief Justice.
