#Bahamas, April 7, 2018 – Nassau – Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Hubert A. Minnis Friday described former Cabinet Minister, Senator and Parliamentarian, the Hon. Theresa Maria Moxey-Ingraham as a “true 21st Century Woman” who was vocal in her support for equality for women in The Bahamas.

Prime Minister Minnis further described Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham as a Drum Major for what was good, right and just.

“A committed Christian and public servant, she was a Drum Major for justice. She was a Drum Major for democracy. She was a Drum Major for her students and young people whose lives were graced with her teaching ministry and compassion,” Prime Minister Minnis said at the Official Funeral Service for Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham held at St. Agnes Anglican Church, Baillou Hill Road, on April 6, 2018.

“Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. She was a friend of the poor and the vulnerable in our country.  She was a fearless warrior in fighting for what was right, especially for the rights of women.

“She leaves behind a committed life, and a life of service and devotion to her family, friends and country.  May her fine example encourage us all to be Drum Majors for what is good, right and just,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham was also a proponent for access to adult and tertiary education opportunities.  A former part-time lecturer at The Bahamas Hotel Training College; Executive-Director of The Bahamas Campus of Sojourner-Douglass and President of the Association of Tertiary Institutions in The Bahamas (ATIB), Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham was praised for lobbying for funding and better financial support for the “other tertiary institutions that were also making valuable contributions to tertiary and adult education in The Bahamas.”

Prime Minister Minnis cited Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham’s push for greater access for women through the areas of education, skills-training and professional development, and her work in improving in the lives of Bahamian children, as two of the other great hallmarks of her life’s work.

The Prime Minister referred to Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham as a “bold and courageous spirit” who loved her country and who refused to “stay on the sidelines of history and the life of her country.”

“Yet, Theresa was an educator and teacher at heart,” Prime Minister Minnis said.  “She loved being in the classroom and molding and guiding young people to develop their gifts and talents.

“Theresa was beloved by her students and her fellow teachers and later Government colleagues. She was a superb model for her students [and] her former students still speak fondly of her creativity in the classroom.”

“Theresa Moxey-Ingraham was a true 21st Century woman,” Prime Minister Minnis said.  “It never occurred to her that she was less than anyone else or that her gender should limit her career choices or her professional development.

“She was vocal in her support for equality for women in The Bahamas, and pushed for greater access for women through education, skills-training and professional development.

“She played an important role in developing legislation by the Free National Movement to improve opportunities for women in The Bahamas and to improve the lives of children.”

A former educator, hotelier and Senator, Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham was first elected to Parliament in August 1992.  Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham served as Minister of Transport from August 1992 to August 1993 before subsequently serving as Minister of Social Development and National Insurance and Minister of Health and the Environment.

She was sworn in as Minister of Labour, Immigration and Training on March 18, 1997, following the General Elections, and three years later was appointed Minister of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry, a post she held until February, 2001, when she became Minister of the Public Service and Cultural Affairs.

Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham was afforded the designation of “Honourable” for life, by then Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham, for her tremendous contributions to government.

“As a teacher, she was also an advocate for improved terms and conditions for both teachers and students, concerned that students at RM Bailey – where she taught – did not have the support that students in private institutions enjoyed,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham also served as Co-Chair of the Public Education Committee of the Constitutional Commission on the proposed Bill Amendments of the Constitutional Referendum that was held in June, 2016.

In 2017, Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham was appointed Chairman of the National Training Agency where she guided the training and preparation of young Bahamians in acquiring new work skills.

Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham also contributed to the arts as a member of the Dundas Repertory Company and as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, and was a member of the Coconut Grove Chorale under the late, Edmund Moxey.

Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham served as Vice-President of the Business and Professional Women’s Association of New Providence; Vice-President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic School and as a member of the Caribbean Women for Democracy.

“During her lifetime, Theresa contributed to the political, educational, professional and civic life of The Bahamas,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

By: Matt Maura (BIS)

Photo Caption: Prime Minister Hubert Minnis presents the National Flag to husband of Mrs. Moxey-Ingraham – Mr. Kirk Ingraham at Lakeview Memorial Gardens on Friday.

(BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)