Kerryann Ifill

Senator Kerryann F. Ifill (born 20 December 1973)[1] is a Barbadian politician. Since 2012 she has served as President of the Senate of Barbados.

She lost her sight due to cataracts at the age of four. She initially had to leave school, before attending a school for the blind from the age of six.[2]

In 1999 Ifill became the first blind person to graduate from the University of the West Indies, gaining a degree in Sociology and Psychology from Cave Hill Campus in her native Barbados. She went on to obtain an MBA at Durham Business School, in England.[1] She had initially considered studying law, with an aim to become a lawyer, but believed she would be unable to achieve that as a blind person, a belief she subsequently regretted.[2]

In 2008 Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson appointed her to the Senate, and subsequently to the position of deputy President of the Senate.[2]

On 14 March 2012, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced that, the following week, he would appoint Ifill President of the Senate. She became the first woman to hold that position, and the first person with a disability, as well as the youngest ever holder of the position, at the age of 38. She succeeded Branford Taitt[3][4][5] (in office 2008-2012).

Ifill also serves as President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled.[6]

Notes
  1. "Alumnus of the month: July 2008", University of the West Indies
  2. "Homemakers: Senator Ifill's full of firsts" Archived 2012-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, Allison Ramsay, Barbados Advocate, 25 March 2012
  3. "Another first" Archived 2014-11-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Barbados Advocate, 15 March 2012
  4. "Blind woman to become first President of Barbados Senate" Archived 2012-03-17 at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Herald, 15 March 2012
  5. "Members of the Senate 2008-2013" Archived 2012-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, Parliament of Barbados
  6. "Persons with disabilities are contributing members of society" Archived 2014-11-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Barbados Advocate, 5 March 2012

References
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