By Khadidja Ba
At the Memorial Service for Justice Désirée Bernard held at the St. George’s Cathedral on May 20th, 2024, she was hailed as a beacon of inspiration and support as well as a legal luminary.
For her services in improving the status of women in Guyana, Justice Bernard was awarded Guyana’s third highest honour – The Cacique Crown of Honour, and later the second highest honour – The Order of Roraima for her services as Head of the Judiciary of Guyana.
During her tribute, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George remembered Justice Bernard as “a pioneer who imparted much impactful and insightful knowledge to everyone around her.” Justice George attributed her decision to join the Bench, albeit reluctantly to Justice Bernard.
“Looking back, I think Judge made it her mission to have me become a Judge, before she retired from the Judiciary of Guyana… I have absolutely no regrets in becoming a Judge and thank her for her tenacity in this regard. “Judge” as we called her, had a tremendous impact on us young women lawyers. As we know she founded the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers in 1987. Judge took us under her wing, mentoring us and sharing her knowledge and experience as well as guiding us on what was proper, for as you know, she was a person of elegance and decorum”, Justice George related.
