Dozens of MPs and Senators yesterday paid tribute to Dame Lois Browne Evans in an emotional House of Assembly session dedicated to the legendary political leader.

Nearly 40 politicians on both sides of the House took turns to praise Dame Lois’ trailblazing achievements, share anecdotes shedding light on her unique character and pass condolences to her mourning family.

Many described the former Progressive Labour Party Leader and top lawyer as a mentor, saying she had been the inspiration that prompted them into their political careers.

During a session lasting nearly four hours, Dame Lois was variously described as an “Olympian presence”, “one of the truly great Bermudians” and a “major catalyst in shaping Bermuda’s political, social and judicial history”.

Dame Lois died in the early hours of Tuesday from a suspected stroke. In a remarkable life, she was Bermuda’s first female barrister, first female Attorney General, first black woman to be elected an MP and first woman Opposition Leader in a British Commonwealth.

Yesterday, a rare joint sitting of legislature took place to give Senators the chance to pay tribute in the House of Assembly.

As a mark of respect to Dame Lois, who would have been celebrating her 80th birthday yesterday, all House matters other than tributes were postponed until next week.

Premier Ewart Brown kicked off the day by describing Dame Lois as an “Olympian presence”.

“Dame Lois Browne Evans deserves to be remembered and recognised in perpetuity. She is worthy of nothing less,” said Dr. Brown.

“She has set the stage for the Bermuda we are working to build. Dame Lois’ vision for that Bermuda is anchored to social justice, economic equity and harmony among our diverse groups.”

Dr. Brown also praised Dame Lois’ renowned abilities as a speaker — and added that she was also always willing to listen.

“It was a staple of good leadership that she never forgot, and never took for granted, “ said Dr. Brown. “She taught that lesson to us all. I don’t know how many of us have learnt that it is good to run silent sometimes.”

Opposition United Bermuda Party Leader Michael Dunkley called Dame Lois “one of the truly great Bermudians ever to live”.

“I’m proud to have been a member of this chamber when the honourable member was here,” said Mr. Dunkley.

Senate President Alf Oughton was next to speak, referring to Dame Lois as a “giant of a politician” and applauding her skills at making political points without animosity.

Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe followed by saying: “I count myself very fortunate like so many others who have been the recipient of her mentoring. She dispensed it freely. In the words of the song, she was the wind beneath my wings.”

A tearful Dame Jennifer Smith, the former Premier and one of Dame Lois’ most celebrated protégés, was next to her feet.

Dame Jennifer said her mentor had been a huge influence throughout her whole political life, from her failed election bids in the 1970s to her days leading the country.

She told the House that late in her career Dame Lois said to her: “Stop telling people that I’m your mentor, you don’t need a mentor, you’re standing on your own two feet. In fact, you need some proteges of your own.”

Dame Jennifer continued: “I want you to know that I resolutely declined Dame Lois’ repeated advice on this issue. I never stopped calling her my mentor and she finally stopped objecting in 1998.”

On Dame Lois’ contribution to the country, Dame Jennifer added: “Dame Lois has been a major catalyst in shaping Bermuda’s political, social and judicial history.

“She reached higher than most even contemplate, achieving several firsts in her life. But she stooped low, to conquer social injustice and discrimination in a land where it was, and may be, endemic.”

Former Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert described Dame Lois as a great leader with purpose, vision, integrity and character.

Former Premier Alex Scott said Dame Lois “controlled the country” as Opposition Leader, and said she knew that to get respect, you have to give respect.

He told a story about how he once earned a sharp rebuke from Dame Lois by likening her to a box of cornflakes.

UBP MP Maxwell Burgess described yesterday as “one of the coldest mornings of my political life” and said Bermuda had lost a “giant of a woman”.

Labour and Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess raised some laughs by recalling an anecdote of how he once had to carry Dame Lois’ bag, drawing some unusual looks from passers-by.

He praised Dame Lois for continuing to fight for what she believed in despite criticism and adversity.

Shadow Justice Minister John Barritt described himself as a long-time friend of Dame Lois. “We had our moments on the floor of the House in the Boundaries Commission and Dame Lois would always, when she felt it necessary and appropriate, admonish me for the way I expressed myself,” said Mr. Barritt.

“Such was her friendship that I could accept that from the Dame, such were her credentials.”

Veteran PLP MP Walter Lister said Dame Lois encouraged young people to fight “on and on”.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief said in his earlier career as a prosecutor he would often lock horns with defence lawyer Dame Lois. “We always had a mutual respect,” said Mr. Perinchief. “We shared many a secret and a chuckle in the back room about some of the cases we dealt with.”

Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said she never succeeded in having the last word in arguments with Dame Lois.

But Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin added that, although their philosophical and political views differed, they always respected each other.

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said Dame Lois repeatedly convinced her not to give up her political aspirations after she lost at General Elections.

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler described her as “delightful, charming, articulate, confident and tough”.

Mr. Butler’s UBP counterpart Suzann Roberts-Holshouser apologised for being late at the session, but said it was because she had stopped to deal with a request from an elderly constituent.

Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser said Dame Lois would have wanted her to put the needs of the senior first.

PLP backbencher Glenn Blakeney said he had been asked to help organise an 80th birthday party for Dame Lois at Devonshire Recreation Club. “Without a thought, the answer of course was yes,” said Mr. Blakeney.

Junior Justice Minister Michael Scott said younger politicians looked up to Dame Lois as a teacher.

“Even in our words of tribute, many of us are mimicking her,” he said.

Junior Health Minister Patrice Minors said: “The spirit of Dame Lois Browne Evans has arisen. Her presence is felt here today. It will continue to be felt in our hearts as we move forward.”

UBP Works and Engineering spokesman Jon Brunson said he was lost for words, but that the last thing Dame Lois had ever said to him was that actions speak louder than words.

Former Education Minister, PLP backbencher Terry Lister, said he did not believe any lawyer stood equally to Dame Lois in 50 years.

“The Bermuda that we enjoy today was brought about by the toughness, the hard work, the determination of this great lady,” he added.

Opposition Environment spokesman Cole Simons said he would regularly see Dame Lois while at events popularly attended by PLP politicians.

He said Dame Lois would tease him because he was a UBP member, but added that she had given him the confidence to stand in the House.

Works and Engineering Minister Dennis Lister said he was the cousin of Wendell Lightbourne, for whom a jury famously requested mercy when finding him guilty of killing a British secretary in the 1950s. Dame Lois, Lightbourne’s solicitor, had argued he had diminished responsibility due to brain damage.

Mr. Lister said many years later he had been present when his cousin and Dame Lois met again. “It was like a mother being reunited with a lost son. The warmth they showed for each other could not be expressed in words,” said Mr. Lister.

In an energetic contribution, UBP Senator Kim Swan said “divine intervention” had brought Dame Lois to Bermuda.

Former Health Minister Nelson Bascome responded by saying that if Dame Lois had heard Mr. Swan’s enthusiastic speech, “she would have turned around to me and said ‘He thinks he’s made it, doesn’t he?’”

Mr. Bascome said young people should be taught about Dame Lois’ legacy.

PLP Senator Kim Wilson said Dame Lois had paved the way for women like herself.

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons quoted former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher: “If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. We will miss her and her contribution to the House and to the Island,” added Dr. Gibbons.

Former Shadow Education Minister Neville Darrell said: “Politicians belong to political parties but statesmen belong to the nation.”

PLP Senator Wayne Caines said the best tribute to Dame Lois would be to continue fighting for those who cannot speak for themselves.

PLP backbencher Ashfield DeVent said that for many years Dame Lois had tried to convince him to go into politics but that he never believed he would.

Mr. DeVent said when he eventually made it into the House, Dame Lois rang him before his debut appearance to say: “Don’t get up and say something stupid.”

Fellow PLP backbencher Dean Foggo said Dame Lois had previously encouraged him for being voted into Parliament ahead of Kim Swan, and predicted the same thing would happen again at the next election.

Shadow Education Minister Lousie Jackson, the oldest member of the House, said she had known Dame Lois as an adult longer than anyone else.

Mrs. Jackson said she saw Dame Lois give a talk to Berkeley students in 1953 as Bermuda’s first woman lawyer.

“This was one of the finest moments of my life in Bermuda,” said Mrs. Jackson.

She was followed by the PLP’s Davida Morris, one of the youngest Senators in the Island’s history. Sen. Morris said: “She was a truly great woman. It gives me hope for the future and hope for what I can be and what I can do to get Bermuda where we need to be.”

PLP MP George Scott said he wanted to convey condolences “on behalf of all the workers and common people of Bermuda”.

Housing Minister David Burch said: “Dame Lois always had time to share her wisdom with everyone, especially young people.”

Deputy Minister Paula Cox paid tribute to Dame Lois’ “unimpeachable humanity and warmth”.

Former PLP MP Stanley Morton was invited to speak by Speaker Mr. Lowe. Mr. Morton said: “One of the most important things that we always have to remember about Lois is that she was always a very humble person, always very humane.”

Declaring the session closed, Mr. Lowe said: “Going home, Dame Lois. Going home, Dame Lois. On your journey to the holy city, the new Jerusalem, fare thee well.”

Joint session of Parliament pays tribute to Dame Lois