The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) was among those who paid rich tribute to retired justice Desiree Bernard who passed away yesterday at the age of 85.
In a statement, the GAWL said that Justice Bernard was known for breaking the proverbial glass ceilings in several areas of law, particularly those involving women’s rights.
“She was known as a lady of firsts and was an amazing daughter of the soil, having been awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour and the Order of Roraima, among many other accolades”, it said.
The GAWL said that Justice Bernard became qualified as a solicitor in 1964 and practised civil law in Guyana from 1965 until 1980, when she became the first female Judge of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.