Constituency: 13 - Devonshire North Central

Home Telephone: 295 6314

Grassroots activist Albertha Waite may be a first-time political candidate, but she steps onto the political stage with a reputation for tackling tough issues and getting things done.

Albertha successfully represented her neighbours as chairperson of the Mary Victoria/Alexandra Road neighbourhood housing committee, advancing their concerns when Government sought to push through plans to create additional high-density public housing in the already congested Prospect neighbourhood.

Now, she wants to work for improvements throughout Devonshire North Central by taking a seat in the House of Assembly.

“I want to make a difference for my constituency… ensure that the people have a voice,” she says. “Whether they live over the road, or over the hill, my neighbours know that I will speak up on their behalf.”

Albertha grew up in Middletown, the daughter of Arnold DeShields and Doris Douglas. She was raised by her late uncle and auntie, Archie and Gladys Ball. Both were staunch UBP supporters.

She attended Purvis Primary and Sandys Secondary before earning a diploma in cosmetology and working in the beauty business. Today, after beginning as a cashier with the Piggly Wiggly supermarket chain, she is the Director, Human Resources with Marketplace, a position she has held for six years.

Albertha is committed to providing opportunities for the “forgotten guys” that she sees in her constituency. “If we can show them compassion, demonstrate genuine concern, people will change,” she says.

Albertha spends her spare time with her husband of 37 years, Trevor Sr., and sons Trevor Jr. and Sherwin, and granddaughter Monique. She is a member of Christ Church, Devonshire.

Albertha particularly enjoys speaking with school kids about life and career choices, as well as modeling or commentating at benefit fashion shows. She has a personal mission statement: “Every day that I am on this earth I have the opportunity to make a positive influence on each person I meet”.

Did you know...

Albertha became the first black woman to become the manager of a full-service supermarket in Bermuda when she took over the Somerset Marketplace store.

Leadership ability runs in her family – Albertha’s cousin, Dr. Denzel Douglas, is the Prime Minister of St. Kitts.

A Plan for Devonshire North Central

* Restoring hope for young people by developing and supporting programmes that lead to job opportunities.

* Creating more parks and playgrounds for the safety and enjoyment of our seniors and children.

* Lobbying for improvements for our neighbourhoods such as better-maintained roads and street lighting – and regular, consistent garbage collection.

* Addressing public safety issues through stronger community policing and active neighbourhood watch schemes .

* Listening to the concerns of residents, and ensuring that those concerns are given an effective voice in Parliament.