Barbados this week bids farewell to a Head of State and to a woman whose leadership has left a permanent mark on the nation’s character.
President Dame Sandra Mason took her final salute at St Ann’s Fort in a ceremony that was simple, sincere and filled with the warmth she inspired wherever she went. It was a fitting farewell for a trailblazer who has always carried her responsibilities with humility, grace and a deep respect for the people she served.
Her words to the armed and protective services that her tenure was “a privilege I could never have imagined,” captured the tone of her presidency. From the historic moment she became Barbados’ first president in 2021, President Mason treated her role as one of service. She helped guide the nation confidently into republican status, giving Barbadians a steady and reassuring presence at a time of great change.
The parade in her honour this week reflected that same sense of connection. Though dressed in the military precision of march-pasts, commands, and ceremony, the atmosphere was also warm. Troops from the Barbados Regiment, Coast Guard, Police Service and Cadet Corps stood in proud formation, with their admiration seeming personal.
She reminded them of the moments they shared, including helicopter flights during Exercise Tradewinds, trips aboard Coast Guard vessels, and the excitement generated when she stepped out in full camouflage uniform.
Her impact, though, reaches far beyond her presidency which will come to an end later this month when she is succeeded by former health minister, retired Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic.
For decades, President Mason has shaped national life through her groundbreaking legal career. As a jurist, she broke barriers with quiet determination, becoming the first woman appointed to the Barbados Court of Appeal, the first female Registrar of the Supreme Court, and a judicial officer respected for fairness and clarity. Her international work on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child expanded her influence even further, positioning Barbados as a strong advocate for the protection of children worldwide.
Her transition from the Bench and later to the presidency, allowed the public to appreciate her service to the country even more. Barbadians saw in her the combination of professionalism, calm judgement and genuine warmth.
Brigadier Carlos Lovell captured this perfectly when he called her “a stalwart of Barbados,” who redefined the presidency with dignity and purpose. It is no exaggeration to say she elevated the office by simply being who she already is, thoughtful and committed to the country’s wellbeing.
Her farewell remarks included heartfelt thanks to those who stood closest to her throughout her tenure, including her aides, chiefs of staff, the leadership of The Barbados Police Service and Barbados Defence Force, and especially the Cadet Corps. The memory of them forming the number “75” during her birthday parade remains one of her most cherished moments. The medal they presented to her, she said, was worn with “great pride” and was a reminder that even in high office, she valued human kindness above the accolades that many crave.
The evening’s ceremony was filled with stirring music from the bands of the Defence Force and Cadet Corps and was attended by dignitaries across government and the protective services. Tokens of appreciation from Customs, Immigration, the Youth Advance Corps, the Police Service and the Defence Force made it clear just how wide her influence has been.
As the president delivered her final salute, she walked past the ranks with applause from the crowd.
In her final message as president, she left Barbados with a simple charge and that was to uphold the highest ideals of service. It was another piece of evidence of the standard she set and the example she leaves behind.
The Mason presidency may have come to an end, but its mark on Barbados will surely endure through contributions to justice, advocacy for the vulnerable, and leadership as the first President of the Republic. She has earned her place among the most respected figures in our island’s national story, and Barbadians are justly proud of her.
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