Six bronze plaques have been unveiled at the Sally Bassett statue.

Chronicling her life, they represent the final addition to the statue of the former slave which was unveiled on Cabinet grounds last October.

Acting Premier Derrick Burgess and Deputy Speaker Dame Jennifer Smith gave speeches at a ceremony which formed part of Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

Mr. Burgess said: "We hope that with the addition of these plaques the public — locals, visitors and schoolchildren alike — will be enlightened about this iconic figure who gives us pause for thought as Bermuda celebrates 400 years of settlement.

"Let us take this moment to reflect on this profile in courage, not a victim of persecution but a beacon of hope.

"This is a striking story: a slave who paid the paid the ultimate sacrifice for rising up against injustice to become a hero and example for us all."

A number of poems and songs were performed in the blazing heat on the eve of Emancipation Day.

Dame Jennifer said: "This is a great day in the course of celebrating our 400 years, particularly because not only has Sally Bassett been remembered, but I'm particularly gratified by the fact that she's been remembered in poetry."

The former Premier said she hoped the works from Vejay Steede and his group Neno Letu would be used in schools learning about Sally Bassett and her impact. She was burned at the stake in 1730 for allegedly attempting to poison her master, his wife and another slave, but has come to stand for defiance in the face of great adversity.

Race activist and historian Eva Hodgson, who attended the ceremony, told The Royal Gazette: "The most significant aspect of this is that it's a vivid reminder of the worst aspect of history, which is still having such a significant impact on our society today.

"The period of slavery and its brutality is one which most Bermudians, black and white, would prefer not to remember and to be dismissed.

"But without a careful consideration of both the period of slavery and its aftermath of segregation, we will never truly be able to understand or address in a constructive manner either the deep continuing racial divide nor the increasing violence in our society."

Dr. Hodgson has previously noted how a host of Progressive Labour Party MPs have spoken out against Premier Ewart Brown, whom she says has shown disrespect for the black community — but that because they haven't acted collectively they have been unable to force the Premier to either operate with respect or resign.

Expanding on this point yesterday, she continued: "The psychological impact is affecting both blacks and whites. Blacks demonstrate it by the deep hostility which they frequently show toward each other, and their inability to solve problems collectively, as has been clearly demonstrated by a Cabinet which could not come together to address a problem which has been so clearly expressed by their PLP supporters and constituents."