Bermuda’s retired Clerk to the Legislature, Shernette Wolffe, has been honoured by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association after 20 years of distinguished service — during which Bermuda’s Parliament underwent a host of revisions.

The awards ceremony in Turks & Caicos heard that Ms Wolffe, who stepped down this April, provided “authoritative advice” to different Speakers of the House of Assembly, and oversaw the modernisation of the island’s legislature.

Milestones included digital services for MPs and the electronic Hansard system providing audio streaming, as well as the transfer of oversight for the Youth Parliament to the legislature.

Ms Wolffe, a former teacher and librarian, also had a say in the drawing of architectural plans for renovations planned for Sessions House.

She was recognised along with four other retired clerks from across the Caribbean for her “hard work, dedication and selfless service to Parliament, Bermuda and the region”.

Lovitta Foggo, who served as the first female Chief Whip in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association group of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region, presented the award alongside Claudius Francis, Speaker of the St Lucia Parliament.

Ms Foggo told the 45th Commonwealth of the Americas and the Atlantic Regional Conference that her former schoolmate had overseen her tenure as MP, with the two attending numerous CPA conferences overseas.

“We did much work on trying to get sovereignty for Parliament itself,” she added.

“We have done the legislation, we have done all the work — all we have to do is pass it in the House. When it does happen, she will deserve all the accolades for it.”

Ms Wolffe’s service was commemorated during the Speaker of Turks & Caicos dinner on July 26.

She said she was “humbled and grateful to receive this recognition” and thanked the other clerks to the legislature who had formed her “close circle of mentors”.

She added: “These folks have moulded me into the person I am today, and shared their knowledge of parliamentary practices, procedures and rules, and supported me throughout my journey.”

Ms Wolffe noted that the new cohort of younger officials now serving as clerks to the legislature in the region.

She told them the role could be “at times thankless and a sometimes misunderstood career — and, at the same time, very rewarding”.

“I urge all the new clerks to support one another, serve with integrity and, most of all, you must know the rules.

“Be confident, speak your truth and, as you all know, you will have to deal with difficult and different personalities.”

She called on them to be “assertive in your opinions and advice”.