Premiers and politicians past and present packed out the stairs and landing of the House of Assembly for yesterday's unveiling of a portrait of Dame Lois Browne Evans.

House speaker Stanley Lowe described her as a legend and pioneer who had paved the way for other women politicians.

Dame Lois, 79, who led the Progressive Labour Party for 13 years in Opposition and became the country's first female Attorney General paid tribute to her husband John who had supported her political career.

Artist Bernard Poulin, who also painted the portrait of Dame Jennifer Smith that hangs in the Cabinet building, said: "My job in creating an official portrait is to ensure that, despite the fact future generations may not know her, they will nonetheless look upon Dame Lois as someone to be emulated.

"As in all countries our young need to recognise who is and who is not heroic. And it is with that in mind that in our quest for an even better Bermuda this portrait of a 'grande dame de la politique' will play a not insignificant part."