# Marcella Liburd

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Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis since 2023

Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd GCMG JP Liburd in 2023 5th Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis Incumbent Assumed office 1 February 2023 Monarch Charles III Prime Minister Terrance Drew Deputy Walford Gumbs Preceded by Tapley Seaton Speaker of the National Assembly In office December 2004 – 18 April 2008 Preceded by Walford Gumbs Succeeded by Curtis Martin Personal details Born (1953-07-10) 10 July 1953 (age 72) Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis Education University of the West Indies (BA) Website Official website

**Dame Marcella Althea Liburd** [GCMG](/source/Dame_Grand_Cross_of_the_Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George) [JP](/source/Justice_of_the_Peace#United_Kingdom)[1] (born 10 July 1953[2]) is a [Kittitian](/source/St._Kitts_and_Nevis) politician who is the fifth [governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis](/source/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](/source/National_Assembly_(Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis)) and the Governor-General, as well as the first Governor-General appointed by [Charles III](/source/Charles_III) (rather than being carried over from [Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II)'s reign). She has served in various Ministerial positions including Acting Prime Minister and Chair of the Opposition for the [Labour Party](/source/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis_Labour_Party). She was the first woman to serve as Chair in the 81-year-old organization’s history.

## Early life

Marcella Liburd was born on 10 July 1953 in [Basseterre](/source/Basseterre), [Saint Kitts](/source/Saint_Kitts), [St. Kitts and Nevis](/source/St._Kitts_and_Nevis)[3] to [Anne Eliza (née Martin)](/source/Anne_Liburd) and Clement Liburd.[4] After attending [Basseterre Girls School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Basseterre_Girls_School&action=edit&redlink=1), Liburd graduated from Basseterre High School. She earned her [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) from the [University of the West Indies](/source/University_of_the_West_Indies) in 1976.[3]

## Career

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](/source/Norman_Manley_Law_School) (NMLS) where she continued her education, earning a [Legal Education Certificate](/source/Legal_Education_Certificate) from NMLS in 1994. After Liburd's admission as a [barrister](/source/Barrister) and [solicitor](/source/Solicitor) for the Eastern Supreme Court in 1994, she began a political career. She was appointed as Secretary of the [Labour Party](/source/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis_Labour_Party) in 1997. In 2004, she became Speaker of the [National Assembly](/source/National_Assembly_(Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis)),[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](/source/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 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](/source/Dame_Grand_Cross_of_the_Order_of_St_Michael_and_St_George) (GCMG).[12][13]

## References

### Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["SKNVibes | Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd GCMG, JP installed as the first female Governor-General of St. Christopher and Nevis"](https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/121136).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Hon. Marcella Liburd – St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180727210349/http://www.stkittsnevislabourparty.com/hon-marcella-liburd/). 27 July 2018. Archived from [the original](http://www.stkittsnevislabourparty.com/hon-marcella-liburd/) on 2018-07-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECaribbean_Elections2016_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECaribbean_Elections2016_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECaribbean_Elections2016_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECaribbean_Elections2016_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECaribbean_Elections2016_3-4) [Caribbean Elections 2016](#CITEREFCaribbean_Elections2016).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Kitts_National_Archives2010_4-0)** [St. Kitts National Archives 2010](#CITEREFSt._Kitts_National_Archives2010).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilliams2009_5-0)** [Williams 2009](#CITEREFWilliams2009).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''MIY_Vue_News''2011_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''MIY_Vue_News''2011_6-1) [*MIY Vue News* 2011](#CITEREFMIY_Vue_News2011).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilliams2013_7-0)** [Williams 2013](#CITEREFWilliams2013).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFrederick2013_8-0)** [Frederick 2013](#CITEREFFrederick2013).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Antigua_Observer''2016_9-0)** [*Antigua Observer* 2016](#CITEREFAntigua_Observer2016).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Associates_Times''2023a_10-0)** [*Associates Times* 2023a](#CITEREFAssociates_Times2023a).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["HER EXCELLENCY DAME MARCELLA LIBURD GCMG, JP INSTALLED AS FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF ST. CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS"](https://www.sknis.gov.kn/2023/02/01/her-excellency-marcella-liburd-jp-sworn-in-as-st-kitts-and-nevis-first-female-governor-general-2/). *SKNIS*. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd GCMG, JP installed as the first female Governor-General of St. Christopher and Nevis"](https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/121136). *SKN Vibes*. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["No. 64212"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/64212/page/21626). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 27 October 2023. p. 21626.

### Bibliography

- Frederick, Toni (23 May 2013). ["Liburd: No Confidence Motion not discussed at Labour Conference"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140718021051/http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/4237-liburd-no-confidence-motion-not-discussed-at-labour-conference). Basseterre St. Kitts: West Indies News Network. Archived from [the original](https://www.winnfm.com/news/local/4237-liburd-no-confidence-motion-not-discussed-at-labour-conference) on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- Williams, Erasmus (8 March 2013). ["Hon. Marcella Liburd is Acting Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130522200954/http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/70766). Basseterre, Saint Kitts: SKN Vibes. Archived from [the original](http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/70766) on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- Williams, Lesroy W. (5 January 2009). ["Marcella Liburd: ¡°Politics is about developing people¡±"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160829221903/http://www.labourspokesman.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=448). Basseterre, St. Kitts: [The Labour Spokesman](/source/Labour_Spokesman). Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- ["Marcella Liburd"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100920011240/http://caribbeanelections.com/kn/candidates/sknlp/Marcella_Liburd.asp). *Caribbean Elections*. Warrens, Barbados: KnowledgeWalk Institute. 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.caribbeanelections.com/kn/candidates/sknlp/Marcella_Liburd.asp) on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- ["Marcella Liburd JP Appointed as Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis"](https://associatestimes.com/marcella-liburd-jp-appointed-as-governor-general-of-st-kitts-and-nevis/). *Associates Times*. Miami, Florida. 1 February 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230205160751/https://associatestimes.com/marcella-liburd-jp-appointed-as-governor-general-of-st-kitts-and-nevis/) from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

- ["Masses House Personalities"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160326034257/http://historicbasseterre.com/hs_persons.asp?HSID=25&PID=43). *Historic Basseterre*. Basseterre, St. Kitts: St. Kitts National Archives. 2010. Archived from [the original](http://historicbasseterre.com/hs_persons.asp?HSID=25&PID=43) on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- ["Powerful Women of St. Kitts Featured in Exhibition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162959/http://miyvue.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1935%3Apowerful-women-of-st-kitts-featured-in-exhibition&catid=42%3Arokstories). Basseterre, St. Kitts: MIY Vue News. 7 April 2011. Archived from [the original](http://miyvue.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1935:powerful-women-of-st-kitts-featured-in-exhibition&catid=42:rokstories) on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

- ["St Kitts and Nevis To Host Installation Ceremony for First Female Governor-General Marcella Liburd"](https://associatestimes.com/st-kitts-and-nevis-to-host-installation-ceremony-for-first-female-governor-general-marcella-liburd/). *Associates Times*. Miami, Florida. 3 February 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230205160614/https://associatestimes.com/st-kitts-and-nevis-to-host-installation-ceremony-for-first-female-governor-general-marcella-liburd/) from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.

- [""We Welcome The Investigations" Says MP Liburd"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160219093547/http://antiguaobserver.com/we-welcome-the-investigations-says-mp-liburd/). St. John’s, Antigua: Antigua Observer. 18 February 2016. Archived from [the original](http://antiguaobserver.com/we-welcome-the-investigations-says-mp-liburd/) on 19 February 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.

## See also

- [First women lawyers around the world](/source/First_women_lawyers_around_the_world)

Government offices Preceded by Tapley Seaton Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis 2023–present Incumbent

v t e Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis Speakers of the Legislative Council of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla Henry Howard (1960–1962) Milton Allen (1962–1971} William Florian Glasford (1971–1978) Ada Mae Edwards (1978–1980) Herman W. Liburd (1980–1983) Speakers of the National Assembly of St Kitts and Nevis Ivan Buchanan (1983–1995) Walford Gumbs (1996-2004) Marcella Liburd (2004–2008) Curtis Martin (2008–2015) Franklin Brand (2015–2016) Anthony Michael Perkins (2016–2022) Lanien Blanchette (from 2022)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Marcella Liburd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcella_Liburd) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcella_Liburd?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.