Members of the Senate Pay Tribute to Lady Bustamante

Members of the Senate, yesterday (July 31), paid tribute to the late Lady Gladys Bustamante, widow of National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante.
Lady Bustamante who died on Saturday, July 25, at the age of 97, will be accorded an official funeral on Saturday, August 8.
In her remarks, Minister of Justice and Leader of Government Business in the Senate the Hon. Dorothy Lightbourne, described Lady Bustamante as one of the most respected and admired women for her hard work, dedicated service and unflinching love and loyalty to her husband.
“She was an inspiration in his life, which undoubtedly helped to mould him into the great national leader and statesman he became to Jamaica. For that, and her other attributes, it is no wonder she is regarded as the most enduring icon of Jamaica’s trade union and political life,” Senator Lightbourne said.
The Minister noted that Lady Bustamante was one of the early women to contest a by-election in July of 1951, in her home town constituency of East Westmoreland.
“Women have indeed made a positive contribution to the political development of our nation, and in the wake of Lady Bustamante’s passing, it is a reflection worthy of acknowledgement,” Senator Lightbourne said.
In his contribution, Opposition Senator, K.D. Knight, noted that Lady Bustamante was a great Jamaican lady and overall, a great Jamaican.
“It is my belief that when the history of her period comes to be written, her achievements will occupy several pages in that history, and pages describing her involvement in our development and a description which I hope will be kind, because that would be well deserved,” Senator Knight said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, in her remarks, said she salutes Lady Bustamante as a powerful woman from Westmoreland and a phenomenal woman from Jamaica.
“She has shown through her dedication to Sir Alexander Bustamante that women can serve powerfully and strategically in various areas of influence. May the life she led serve as an inspiration to all women, particularly those from rural Jamaica,” Senator Malahoo Forte said.
Lady Bustamante’s, funeral service will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Liguanea, Kingston. She will be buried beside her husband in National Heroes Park.