Women's rights activist Moya Margaret Boyd has died at the age of 84.

She passed away on Saturday after a battle with cancer following a long and determined life, in which she fought for equality for women and better legislation.

A co-founder of The Women's Resource Centre, proud Scot Moya came to Bermuda in 1966 from England when her late Royal Naval officer husband Andre was posted to the Island.

He was the Resident Naval Officer at HMS Malabar and Moya was the gracious hostess of many elegant parties at The Cottage.

But upon Andre's retirement, Moya became an English teacher on the Island. She taught at Sandys Secondary School before moving on to Northlands, then working with young people at YHED, which is now known as Teen Services.

When she retired from teaching, she remained in the education field by giving private lessons to dyslexic children.

However, Moya, who lived in Somerset, was best known for her commitment to women's rights.

About 21 years ago, she and six other women formed the Committee for the Reform of the Rape Laws, and after a lot of studying and cross-referencing with other countries, the committee came up with amendments which were presented to the Attorney General's office.

It took more than two years before legislation was changed to include some of their recommendations.

Boyd was a fighter for womens rights However, it was not until ten years later that Minister Quinton Edness asked her to serve on another committee to review the rape laws. The committee was assured more notice would be taken of their suggestions that time.

In 1995, the mother-of-three was honoured with the Women's Advisory Council's Crystal Award for her fierce campaigning on behalf of women over the years.

One of her daughters, Jeanette Boyd, said: "She believed that obstacles were caused by people not willing to change but that those who desired change must have the confidence to struggle for it.

"She continually put forward arguments for the ordination of women in the Roman Catholic church and increasing the number of women in Parliament as ways of increasing the autonomy of women.

"She was well known for her Letters to the Editor of The Royal Gazette that addressed the various issues of the day, especially those pertaining to women's rights.'' Her daughter said that her mother believed one of the most important contributions she could make to Bermuda was to promote racial harmony by believing in the potential and abilities of all her students and to make her home a place where everyone was always welcome.

And she said Moya's love of cats was also well-known, as many stray cats found a good home at Sunway Cottage.

Her daughter added: "My mother was very determined and very progressive. She was very socially conscious and fought for the rights of all, both on the grounds of race and sex.

"She never wanted to put women ahead of men, she just wanted them to be on an equal footing.

"I would say my mother was a very challenging woman and it was not always an easy relationship, but she was very caring towards everyone, especially her family, and she taught us very well.

"She taught all of us to be aggressive and to question everything and not to settle for just anything. She was always there for us, and many other people, too.'' "I think she will be remembered for her vibrancy, her intellect and her progressiveness.'' Chairwoman of The Women's Resource Centre Penny Dill was not available for comment yesterday, but the charity's Director of Clinical Services, Sharon Apopa, paid a tribute to Moya.

She said she first knew her as a teacher at Sandys Secondary School, where she remembered her as an inspiration to many pupils.

Ms Apopa said: "I remember Moya as an excellent teacher who was determined to get her students to reach their potential.

"But she was also a very good advocate for women's issues, and I believe she was instrumental in getting some changes to the law where women were concerned.

"She put women's issues on the map, and although she was much more senior to us in terms of age, she was still very much on line in terms of her forward-thinking ideas.

"Just six years ago she was very much involved in the establishment of policies and procedures for The Women's Resource Centre. I will remember her very fondly for that - she never lost her interest.'' Co-founder of the centre Sylvia Hayward Harris was not available for comment last night.

Moya leaves behind her two daughters, Wendy and Jeanette, grandsons Alex and Jonathan, and her son-in-law Joel Katzman.

Her husband Andre, son Peter, brothers Peter and Maurice Barkey, and brother-in-law Philip predeceased her.

A funeral mass will be held for Moya at St. Joseph's Church today at 3 p.m., followed by interment at the Royal Naval Cemetery at Ireland Island.

Moya Margaret Boyd