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Allyson Maynard Gibson

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Allyson Maynard Gibson KC (born 11 January 1957)[1] is a Bahamian barrister, politician, and community rights advocate, particularly with regard to laws affecting women and children.[2] From 2012 to 2017 she was the Attorney-General and Minister for Legal Affairs of The Bahamas,[3][4] and leader of government business in the Senate of the Bahamas. From 2002 to 2007, she served as Minister of Financial Services and Investments in the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration.

Allyson Maynard Gibson
Maynard Gibson at the ITU Telecom World 2016
Attorney General and Minister for Legal Affairs of The Bahamas
In office
10 May 2012 – May 2017
Preceded byJohn Delaney
Succeeded byCarl Bethel
Personal details
Born
Zoe Camille Allyson Maynard

(1957-01-11) 11 January 1957 (age 67)
Nassau, Bahamas
SpouseMaxwell E. Gibson
Children2 daughters
Parents
RelativesMeta Davis Cumberbatch (maternal grandmother)
Georgianna Kathleen Symonette (paternal grandmother)
Alma materBarry University
London School of Economics
Council of Legal Education
OccupationBarrister, politician

She is the daughter of former deputy prime minister (1985–92) Clement T. Maynard.[5]

Early years and education

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Zoe Camille Allyson Maynard was born in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1957, to Clement T. Maynard and Zoë Maynard,[6] as the only daughter of their five children, her brothers being Julian (who died of cancer in 1995),[7] Peter,[8][9] David and Clement III.[10][11]

She attended Barry University in Miami, Florida, where she earned a B.Sc. (Management, Marketing & Economics) in 1975, aged 18, the youngest graduate in Barry's history at the time.[12][13][14] She then continued her studies in England, at the London School of Economics & Political Science, attaining her LL.B (Hons.) in 1979 and the LL.M in 1980, followed by graduate studies at the Council of Legal Education in London, between 1979 and 1980.[14] She was admitted to the bar in the U.K. and Wales in July 1980, and to the Bahamas bar in December 1980.[1]

Law career

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She went into private practice as senior partner in the law firm Gibson & Company, a partner with Maynard & Co. and an associate with Seligman, Maynard & Co. She was also an articled clerk to David Goldberg in Chambers of Milton Grundy, Gray's Inn, London, England.[14] She has spoken of being encouraged to become involved with politics by Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, first prime minister of the Bahamas: "He felt it was very important for those who had a voice, for those who had a commitment to our country to get involved.... I'm humbled to think that he saw a little bit of talent in me."[1]

Political career and public service

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At the 2 May 2002 general election, she was elected as a member of Parliament representing the New Providence South–Pinewood constituency,[15] and in the new Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government was appointed to the Cabinet as the first Minister of Financial Services and Investments.[16][17] In the 2007 Bahamian general election, Byron Woodside was declared winner in the Pinewood election court recount by 49 votes against Maynard Gibson.[18]

Following the PLP victory in the May 2012 general election, she was sworn in as attorney general,[19] holding the office until the change of government after the general election in May 2017. She is also vice-chair of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the second vice-chair of REMJA (the Attorneys General of Central and Latin America).[5]

Over the years, her work has included significant legal reforms, such as statutory maternity leave with guaranteed employment upon return to the workplace after confinement, protecting the identities of rape victims and domestic violence and sexual harassment laws.[13][20] Well known as an advocate for the rights of women and children, she was president (2009–11) of the International Women's Forum (IWF)[21] and the IWF Leadership Foundation,[22] is also a past president of the Nassau (Bahamas) chapter of The Links, Incorporated,[23] a member of Zonta International (an organization with the mission of advancing the status of women), and is regularly involved with voluntary work connected with the empowerment of girls and women and a variety of social issues.[13] She has been associated with many voluntary groups including the Chance Foundation (working on education reform), the Anglican Church Women, the Bahamas Women's Forum and, as founding director, the Yellow Elder Community Library Association and the Senior Citizen's Centre.[24]

She outlined her principles in a 2009 interview:

"'...I believe that women and men must work together to build a better country and a better world,' she said. 'I am a part of a loving family that has for generations been dedicated to public service. My grandmother Meta Davis Cumberbatch has been called the mother of the arts in the Bahamas.[25][26] (My grandmother) Georgiana K. Symonette, was the secretary of the Women's Suffrage Movement.[27] My mother, Zoe, Lady Maynard, served in World War II,[28] was the first female juror in the Bahamas and was a trade unionist, among other community involvement. (These women) gave me living examples of being agents of positive change. I hope to be a similar example to my daughters, Zoe and Demetra. Also my husband Max, whose family also continues to be involved in public service, is a tower of strength,' said Senator Maynard-Gibson."[2]

Honours

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In 2011, Maynard Gibson was honoured by the All-China Women's Federation for "Outstanding Contributions to Women’s Leadership".[13]

In 2013, she featured on a list celebrating the top 100 women of influence from diverse backgrounds working in fields ranging from government to philanthropy across the major international financial centres (IFCs).[29] The following year she was named again on a similar list, "The 2014 IFC Power Women Top 200", which focuses on influencers and professionals, and "recognises women of achievement who are opinion formers, helping to promote business excellence in their home jurisdiction and consolidating the reputations of the financial services industry globally."[30]

In July 2014, at the 66th Alpha Kappa Alpha Boulé in Charlotte, North Carolina, she was inducted as an Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (ΑΚΑ),[31] to which her daughter Zoe also belongs.[32]

In January 2015, she became the first woman to be appointed a Queen's Counsel in the Bahamas.[33][34]

On 19 February 2015, she was honoured with Barry University's Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing "distinguished professional achievements and contributions to society through service".[12][13][35]

Personal life

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She is married to Maxwell E. Gibson[1][36][37] and they have two daughters, Zoe and Demetra.[2][38][39]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Calvin Harris, "Behind the scenes on Bahamian documentary, "On the Wings of Men" with Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson", TheBahamasWeekly.com, 1 September 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Jeffarah Gibson, "Women Shine In A 'Man's World'", Tribune 242, 23 February 2009.
  3. ^ "Sen. the Hon. The Hon. Z.C. Allyson Maynard Gibson", Government of the Bahamas.
  4. ^ "Industry News – Bahamas Government: Executive Team", The Bahamas Advantage, 11 May 2012,
  5. ^ a b "FORA.tv Speaker - Allyson Maynard Gibson"[usurped], FORA.tv.
  6. ^ "'Follow your dream'" Archived 2014-09-13 at the Wayback Machine, The Nassau Guardian, 14 December 2013. Original text by Patricia Glinton-Meicholas for exhibition catalogue.
  7. ^ "Right Back Before 1967 -- Sir Clem's Book", bahamasuncensored.com, 29 July 2007.
  8. ^ "Dr. Peter D. Maynard" Archived 2015-01-13 at the Wayback Machine, Eugene Dupuch Law School.
  9. ^ "Attorneys", Peter D. Maynard & Co. Attorneys.
  10. ^ "Hon. Sir Clement T. Maynard" obituary.
  11. ^ Kathryn Campbell, "Bahamas bids farewell to Sir Clement", thebahamasweekly, 15 October 2009.
  12. ^ a b Oswald Brown, "Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson Among Distingushed [sic] Alumni Honoured by Barry University", The Bahamas Weekly, 20 February 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients", Barry University.
  14. ^ a b c "Breakfast Presentation: Sen. The Hon. Z.C. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs", International Business & Finance Summit (IBFS). Archived at 17 January 2015.
  15. ^ Alison Lowe, "Allyson Maynard-Gibson confirms decision not to run again", Political Bahamas, 19 May 2010.
  16. ^ Annan Boodram, "Changing of the Guard in the Bahamas", Caribbean Voice, April 2002. Archived 12 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ^ "2002–06 Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson, The Bahamas", Women Ministers of Finance and Economy from 2000, Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership.
  18. ^ media (2008-01-22). "Byron Woodside Won by 49 Votes in Pinewood Recount | Bahamaspress.com". Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  19. ^ "Bahamas Swears in Eight New Ministers", Caribbean Journal, 11 May 2012.
  20. ^ "Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson", International Women’s Empowerment Summit (IWES), Bahamas 2017.
  21. ^ "Allyson Maynard Gibson elected President of the International Women’s Forum", The Bahamas Weekly, 19 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Allyson Gibson's Fundraiser: Running to Build Better Leadership", 6 November 2011.
  23. ^ Cecillia A. Cox-Cooper, "Links in Action: Attorney Allyson Maynard-Gibson Elected President of the International Women’s Forum (IWF)", The Focus, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Winter 2010, p. 4.
  24. ^ "Allyson Maynard-Gibson", Chance Foundation.
  25. ^ Jeffarah Gibson, "Meta-Davis Cumberbatch's Legacy Lives On", Tribune 242, 18 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Meta Davis Cumberbatch, Pioneer of The Arts", Our Culture Warriors.
  27. ^ "Georgiana Symonette" Archived 2015-01-12 at the Wayback Machine, The Women's Suffrage Movement in the Bahamas.
  28. ^ Chakara Bennett, "Veterans to be remembered and honored at ball", The Nassau Guardian, 13 October 2011.
  29. ^ "The IFC Power Women Top 100", Citywealth magazine, July 2013, p. 10.
  30. ^ Nimita Bhatt, "The 2014 IFC Power Women Top 200", Citywealthmag.com, p. 3.
  31. ^ "Attorney General made honourary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority" Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, BahamaIslandsInfo, 21 July 2014.
  32. ^ Phylicia Laramore, "Bahamas' Attorney General becomes Honorary Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.", TheBahamasWeekly.com, 14 August 2014.
  33. ^ "Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Brave Davis and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson appointed Queen’s Councils by the GG!", Bahamas Press, 6 January 2015.
  34. ^ Diane Phillips, "Country’s Oldest Law Office, Callenders 1st Firm to Have Three QC’s", TheBahamasWeekly.com, 8 January 2015.
  35. ^ "Attorney general to receive Barry Univ. Distinguished Alumni Award", The Nassau Guardian, 16 February 2015.
  36. ^ "Husband of Attorney General, Max Gibson, expected to make full and complete recovery... Archived 2015-12-12 at the Wayback Machine. Sen. Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson issues statement to media", Bahamas Press, 23 August 2014.
  37. ^ "Max Gibson expected to recover from stroke" Archived 2014-08-27 at the Wayback Machine, The Nassau Guardian, 25 August 2014.
  38. ^ Nii-Daako Darko, "My Path: Demetra Gibson, MD" Archived 2015-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, Tour For Diversity in Medicine, 16 September 2012.
  39. ^ "Local medical student becomes a new member of the Student National Medical Association’s (SNMA) Board of Directors" Archived 2015-02-05 at the Wayback Machine, TheBahamasWeekly.com, 21 September 2011.
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