Pearman happy to be in company of legends
Teaching children about the historical contributions of Bermudians should start at home, Ombudsman Victoria Pearman said yesterday.
Ms Pearman was one of several black Bermudians recognised yesterday by Bermuda’s First Black History Museum at Paget Primary School.
Classroom 7 at the school on Ord Road was dedicated to Ms Pearman for the one-day event.
She said that it was “very important” that the history of Bermudians was taught to the younger generation.
Ms Pearman added: “It’s not very often that we know the history of Bermudians, across the board.
“This, you would have thought, should be something that begins at home.”
Ms Pearman, a trial lawyer, was named Bermuda’s second ombudsman in 2014 by former governor George Fergusson.
She said it was “humbling” to be recognised by the students and staff at the school, along with former professional footballer Clyde Best and Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Clarence Hill.
Ms Pearman said: “These are real living legends.
“Today I had to share the spotlight a little bit, and I didn’t mind doing that.”
Ms Pearman said she had been invited to speak with the P3 students at Paget Primary School for the past few years.
She said that her “heart was made glad” by the students after she had attended a Black History Month assembly held at a private school a few years ago.
Ms Pearman said the ninth-grade students in attendance were asked who Dame Lois Browne-Evans was. No one knew the answer.
She said: “I was just horrified. I thought if you don’t know anybody else, that’s Bermuda’s first national hero.”
Ms Pearman said the P3 students at Paget Primary had a much different level of knowledge about Dame Lois.
She explained: “They knew everything and more.”
Ms Pearman said it was important that those being recognised were accessible to the students who were honouring them.
She explained: “This is not something we are doing as a favour.
“These are going to be the future politicians and ombudsmen and lawyers and teachers and coaches, so it’s very important that they have a relationship.”
