Marjorie Bean


Dame Marjorie Louise Bean DBE was the first Bermudian woman to be appointed to Bermuda's former Legislative Council. She was a trustee and founding member of the Bermuda Public Services Union.

Life

She attended Wilberforce University, Columbia University's Teachers College, and the Institute of Education at the University of London.
She began her career in education teaching English and geography at the Berkeley Institute, Pembroke Parish, Bermuda. In 1948, she became the first black person to be appointed to an administrative position in Bermuda's Department of Education when she took on the job of Supervisor of Schools/Education Officer. In 1979, she received the Stellar Halsall Memorial Award for Community Activities and Arts.

Awards

Bean was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire "in recognition of the significant contribution she made to education in Bermuda" in 1968. She was later advanced to Officer in 1981, and, lastly, to Dame in 1995. In 1977, she was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal.

Death

She died, aged 91, on 16 March 2001.

Legacy