Her Excellency Alma Adams received her Instruments of Appointment as the first woman Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Republic of Cuba, during a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, November 29, 2012. Pictured from left are Mrs. Adams; His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General; and Lady Foulkes. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
|
NASSAU, The Bahamas –
Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes, presented Alma Adams with
her Instruments of Appointment as th
e first woman Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The
Bahamas to the Republic of Cuba, during a ceremony at Government House
on Thursday, November 29, 2012.
During the ceremony Mrs. Adams presented Letters
of Recall on behalf of her predecessor Ambassador Vernon Burrows.
She thanked the Governor-General, the Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs for her appointment, and her parents
for instilling the discipline and training she was able to use in her
professional development.
Mrs. Adams also credited former ambassadors Vernon
Burrows and Carlton Wright for the work they accomplished in Cuba as
it relates to further strengthening diplomatic ties between both countries.
Some of her goals expressed are to explore partnerships
in Mari culture, agriculture, industries and education, specifically
Bahamians studying Spanish in Cuba.
“Since I will be there, many more Bahamians will
be speaking Spanish,” said the former Spanish teacher.
The Governor General said it was a pleasure to present
Mrs. Adams with her Instruments of Appointment, which comes at a time
when the country is celebrating two important events – the 50th
Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and the 40th
Independence Anniversary.
His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General, left, presenting Alma Adams with her Instruments of Appointment as the first woman Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Republic of Cuba, during a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, November 29, 2012. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)
|
He said the country appreciates the remarkable public
service women have given in other areas but somehow they seem reluctant
to venture into politics, although the political parties have embraced
women over the years.
Speaking to the close ties between The Bahamas and
Cuba, Sir Arthur said he is working on a project to have a monument
erected in Inagua in honour of Cuban liberator José Martí.
Mrs. Adams has a Master of Science in Education and
a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She was appointed Spanish teacher and
Dean of students at the Zion Christian Schools in 2009. She also taught
Spanish, French and English at Aquinas College from 1982 – 1985, and
served as Senior Mistress at St Anne’s Schools.
She served as Consul General at the Bahamas Consulate
in Miami, Florida from 1999 – 2008. She served as a Senator
from 1987 to 1992; she was Assistant Editor of the Hansard from 1985
to 1987.
Mrs. Adams also worked in the financial services
sector at the Bank of Nova Scotia, the People’s Penny Savings Bank
and Roy West Trust Corporation.
