The Senate glass ceiling shattered yesterday as Carol Anne Bassett became the first female nominated to the presidency of the Upper House.

Sen. Bassett, had served for five years as an independent Senator before accepting the nomination yesterday morning immediately before the Throne Speech and the Senate's reconvening.

She fills the spot left vacant by Alf Oughton, who was also an independent Senator before retiring in September.

Mr. Oughton was the longest-serving President of the Senate when he stepped down having held the position for 10 years. And like Sen. Bassett, he had also been nominated to the role after five years in the Upper House.

Yesterday Sen. Bassett said she had not processed the nomination or her role, but that she was flattered by the offer of the presidency.

"I have got to process it," she said, "It's really an honour. It's really humbling. I would not have thought it would be me.

"Years ago when I was asked to join the Senate, if people told me that this was in my future I would have called them crazy."

Congratulatory remarks rained in from her fellow Senators and members of the House of Assembly, where a first was also marked.

Lovitta Foggo was announced as the new Government Whip – the first time a woman has held that position. Former Opposition Leader Cole Simons is the new Opposition Whip.

On the floor of the House of Assembly former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith applauded the selection of Sen. Bassett and Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe, declared: "Another ceiling has been shattered!"

In the Senate, UBP Senator Michael Dunkley congratulated Sen. Bassett on her new position and PLP Senator Kim Wilson said the move should be celebrated by women as a real accomplishment.

"Obviously whenever we see a woman aspiring to greatness, and as a woman myself I can be proud of her accomplishments," she said.

The Upper House yesterday also welcomed two new Senators – UBP chairman Michael Fahy and independent, Joan Dillas-Wright.

The former CEO of the Bermuda Hospitals Board and PLP branch chairman said she was thrilled there was a woman in charge and looked forward to serving.

"I think it's tremendous for Bermuda and for our Senate. I think initially there were very few women as Senators and now to have a female president of the Senate, I think it's absolutely wonderful," she said.

"I look forward to working with her and the rest of the group."

While PLP Senator Walton Brown said: "I think that the time is long overdue in gender equality and politics. I am all for more female representation and more female representation in higher posts."

More Throne Speech, Pages 4, 5, & 6