Gazette today turns the spotlight on Shadow Minister for Human Affairs and Information and MP for Hamilton East Ms Renee Webb.

Sitting in the Paris sidewalk cafes as a young student, Ms Renee Webb would indulge in one of her favourite pastimes.

She would scan the passers-by, thrilling in the myriad of cultures passing before her gaze. Africans, Malaysians, Greeks, Arabs, Europeans -- all would come into view.

But, although captivating, this moving street theatre also had a tinge of sadness. What a contrast, she thought, it struck with her own country, Bermuda! "In France I always felt extremely comfortable. There was this tremendous cultural diversity. People would interact naturally, and I never felt any discrimination because I was black.'' To a fiercely ambitious student the contrast hardened in her a sense of responsibility. Responsibility to return to her homeland and boost the lot of blacks -- and all those oppressed.

Ms Webb is now in prime position to begin fulfilling that ambition.

She has been appointed Shadow Minister of Human Affairs and Information. As such, she will take up the cudgels against racism, and other forms of victimisation.

"I am really looking forward to it, and will be fighting for everybody discriminated against. That won't just be blacks, but also whites, the working class or whoever.'' That Ms Webb is qualified to take up the fight appears beyond doubt. She has always been a self-acclaimed mistress of her own destiny, describing herself as a natural leader.

For a woman with a down-to-earth touch she also points to a rather more unlikely clue to her personality. "My birthday is on September 28 and I'm a Libra. That means I'm an extrovert and am very tidy. I dislike chaos, and need to know where everything is.

"I'm also about bringing justice to society.'' Ms Webb, who has three brothers and seven sisters, is immensely proud of her roots. She was born to working class parents -- her father, Mr. Eugene Victor Turini, coming from Italian stock.

But her parents split up, and the young Renee was raised by her mom.

"As with children of many single parents, I was instilled with a strong need for education and to excel at whatever I do.'' After Francis Patton School, Ms Webb went to Berkeley Institute.

Placed in the "bright children's class'', she blossomed at English Literature, English Language, History, Geography and French.

Her popularity at school was boosted by an athletic prowess. She made the teams in gym, track, softball, and netball, allowing her to give full rein to her competitive spirit.

Ms Webb's academic achievements are impressive. After studying management at Bermuda College, she took a degree in Political Studies at Queen's College in Canada.

An instinct to be different stopped her from continuing her studies in Britain, Canada, or America.

Instead, she followed a "sixth sense'' which drew her to France.

"I always knew I would go to France. I don't know why. It's not something I can explain. It's probably a woman's intuition.'' Ms Webb took a degree in International Affairs at the Graduate School in Paris, and also studied French for two years at the Sorbonne. In addition, she took a post-graduate diploma in International Humanitarian Law at Strasbourg.

She had been given a fellowship by UNESCO to study there.

"My whole career was based around being a diplomat. I thought I would be an ambassador to the United Nations.

"I was convinced Bermuda by that time would have gained independence to allow me to become an ambassador.'' After nearly nine years in France, Ms Webb, now fluent in French, returned to Bermuda. She started a clothing store, worked for the Bank of Butterfield, and then opened Buy Smart on Union Street.

It is politics, however, that has pushed her into the limelight.

And one suspects the commitment to her new portfolio has been strengthened by a childhood memory which haunts her still.

She recalls being invited to a little white girl's birthday party. The eight-year-old's father was serving on the American naval base -- and the party invitation was to black and white children.

"None of the white children showed up because their parents didn't want them mixing with blacks. The little girl was so upset!'' Ms Renee Webb.