young Bermudian women called to the Bar.

The crowd filled every chair, spilled outside, and even former Premier Sir John Swan had to stand in the hallway of the ante room.

Attending the court were Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott, Government Senate Leader Milton Scott, former United Bermuda Party Sen. Yvette Swan and AS&K lawyer and former UBP MP Jerome Dill.

They were there because the mother -- Philippa Burke -- of one of the women who was called to the Bar, Janita Burke, has worked at the Cabinet Office under two Premiers.

Janita Burke attended the Berkeley Institute, where she was president of the Student Council and head girl, and the University of Warwick. She was also a Rotary Exchange Student.

During holidays she has worked in the commercial litigation department of Milligan-Whyte & Smith and the Conveyancing Department at AS&K. She has also worked in the Attorney General's Chambers.

Renee Benjamin attended Warwick Academy and Dalhousie University and Leeds University where she obtained joint degree in law and Japanese.

She was a Rotary Exchange Student and served on the Westgate seminar group.

Leighton Rochester, appearing on behalf of the Department of Public Prosecutions, noted Ms Benjamin and Ms Burke were the 89th and 90th women to be called the Bermuda Bar.

He also noted that Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans was the first female called to the Bermuda Bar on December 17, 1953 -- which was 46 years ago to this month.

Mr. Rochester said there were now 188 men and 90 women in the Bermuda Bar.

He also said he had the pleasure of working with Ms Burke and Ms Benjamin and their success was "indicative of the capacity and the potential of people resident in Bermuda''.

Lawyer and UBP MP John Barritt said as head of the Conveyancing Department at AS&K, both young ladies had passed his way and he found them to be very pleasant and competent.

He said working in a small office with Ms Benjamin, allowed him to get to know her well and he observed that her language skills sometimes put him at a disadvantage.

Mr. Barritt noted she was a very courteous and confident young lady. He also remarked that with the talent of the independent minded young women "there is no telling what they might accomplish''.

In closing he welcomed them to the Bar and said "both ladies are Y2K-compliant and ready to go''.

Cabinet Secretary Leopold Mills said the women were talented and "extraordinary for what they have to offer to Bermuda and to Bermuda as a whole''.

Mr. Mills noted that Ms Benjamin and Ms Burke were "focused, and capable and never take their eyes off the ball''.

Lawyer Patricia Harvey Burch also spoke on behalf of Ms Benjamin and Ms Burch.

She remarked that "their perseverance and ability to remain focused bodes well for the Millennium''.

As Ms Benjamin delivered her speech to Chief Justice Austin Ward hushed tones echoed around the court.

She said she was blessed with a unique heritage -- seaweed rice cakes -- an allusion to her multicultural background. On her father's side she is African-Bermudian and Portuguese and on her mother's side she is Japanese and English.

Ms Benjamin thanked her family for showing her the way and expressed gratitude to the legal fraternity and AS&K, teachers and mentors for encouraging her to do her best when she did not believe in herself.

Ms Benjamin said she was at a loss of words as to how to express her support from her parents.

In tears she remembered her father's last words -- "pass your studies'', and regretted that she did not have the opportunity to say she had fulfilled this.

Referring to her mother, she said: "My mother is my anchor and a selfless woman.'' During her speech Ms Burke said she was a "Somerset girl'' and attended West End Primary School and was told at the age of ten by a teacher that she would be a lawyer.

She cited her teachers in providing her with encouragement.

Ms Burke attended the University of Warwick in England.

She said her faith in God helped her in stressful times and was willing to persevere.

Ms Burke paid tribute to Ms Benjamin whom she regards as a friend and sister who she met on the Legal Practice Course in London, England.

In particular, she said: "Renee is a true soldier despite the death of her father.'' Legal minds: From left, new lawyers Janita Burke and Renee Benjamin.