‘Dedicated servant’ of the people
Politicians paid tribute yesterday to government senator Leslie Robinson, who has died at the age of 57.
David Burt, the Premier, expressed “profound sadness” at the news and said: “This is an unimaginable tragedy which has shocked so many of us to the very core.
“Bermuda has lost an eminently qualified professional woman who had chosen public service in addition to a busy career in the private sector.
“Leslie answered the call to serve without hesitation, and this exemplified her selfless nature and commitment to this community.
“It is heartbreaking to now mourn her loss, and I express sincere condolences to her family at this truly difficult time.”
Mr Burt described Ms Robinson as a “dedicated servant” to the Progressive Labour Party and the people of Bermuda.
“As a PLP representative in the Senate since 2022, Senator Robinson served with distinction, embodying the values and ideals we hold dear.
“She was a passionate advocate for our community, championing fairness and steady progress towards a fairer Bermuda in her roles as Junior Minister of Economy and Labour and Public Works,” the Premier added.
“In each role she undertook, Senator Robinson brought commitment, integrity and a compassionate spirit, working tirelessly to improve the lives of Bermudians.
“Her contributions leave an indelible mark, and her legacy will continue to inspire.
“On behalf of the Progressive Labour Party, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.
“Bermuda has lost an outstanding public servant and we join all Bermudians in mourning her passing and honouring her memory.”
The Governor, Rena Lalgie, also paid tribute to Ms Robinson, saying: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Senator Leslie Robinson.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.”
Owen Darrell, the Government Senate Leader and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, also paid tribute to Ms Robinson, saying that her “legacy of professionalism, generosity and kindness will never be forgotten”.
He added: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the sorrow felt across our community at the passing of my dear colleague and friend, Senator Leslie Robinson.
“Leslie’s unwavering commitment to Bermuda and her kindness left a profound and lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.
“Senator Robinson embraced public service with unmatched dedication, bringing the same integrity and passion that defined her private sector career.
“She gave selflessly to our community, and her legacy of leadership will continue to inspire all of us who follow in her footsteps.”
Ms Robinson worked for the Bermuda Monetary Authority and Willis Towers Watson, and Mr Darrell added: “Her contributions to Bermuda’s financial and insurance sectors were significant, leaving an indelible mark on these industries.
“Moreover, her dedication to education positively shaped countless careers, ensuring that her influence will endure for generations to come.
“Senator Robinson’s legacy of professionalism, generosity and kindness will never be forgotten.
“My deepest condolences go out to Senator Robinson’s family, her Bethel Church family, the entire African Methodist Episcopal Bermuda Conference family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“May her legacy of hope, integrity and love continue to inspire each of us to walk in faith and strive for a better Bermuda for all people.
“She will be dearly missed, and her spirit of service and compassion will remain with us always.”
One Bermuda Alliance MPs and senators also paid tribute to Ms Robinson and expressed their “deepest sympathies and condolences“.
OBA leader Jarion Richardson said: “Before becoming involved in politics, I worked alongside Senator Robinson at the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
“She was clear, audacious and bold. She led her team with a professionalism that made her incredibly admirable. She often asked me deep, perceptive questions.
“I was encouraged when Senator Robinson joined the Senate. Although we would have differing perspectives, her keen insight and intellectual rigour would enhance the work of the Senate for the betterment of all Bermuda.
“My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the friends and family of Leslie Robinson, a truly wonderful person.”
Leslie Robinson was a member of WeSpeak, which is dedicated to helping women build confidence and leadership capabilities.
Carolyn Myers, a partner at EY and chair of WeSpeak Bermuda, said: “Leslie was an unwavering ambassador of WeSpeak and was one of the first women to put her hand up to train as a WeSpeak coach, eager to serve to help women find and project their voices.
“Despite her incredibly busy schedule of work and parliamentary commitments, she always made time for WeSpeak, and her commitment to empowering others was truly inspiring.”
She added: “Anyone who met Leslie — whether through WeSpeak, her public service, her work in the insurance industry, or her church, gained not just a mentor and coach but an advocate and friend.
“Her spirit, generosity and passion will be deeply missed by her WeSpeak family and this loss is felt deeply within our hearts.
“Our thoughts go out to her family, her colleagues at Willis Towers Watson, her church community and everyone whose lives she touched.”
WeSpeak said Ms Robinson coached at several boot camps and teen boot camps and was set to join as a coach at this week’s boot camp.
“WeSpeak has made the difficult decision to pause this week’s boot camp.
“The event will now take place on December 10, giving the community time to honour Leslie’s memory and come together to support one another during this period,” the organisation said.
It added: “Leslie served as a senator, embodying a steadfast commitment to the Bermudian community.
“Her work focused on advancing social equity and economic opportunity, tirelessly championing causes that improved the lives of families, youth and those who needed a voice.
“Leslie’s service to her country was rooted in integrity, a keen intellect and an unwavering commitment to fairness.”
Ben Smith, the party’s deputy leader and former Opposition Leader in the Senate, added: “When I was the Opposition Senate Leader, I had the opportunity to observe Senator Robinson.
“Although we were on opposite sides of the aisle, she always carried herself with class.
“Sincere condolences to her family on this shocking news.”
Robin Tucker, who is the Opposition Leader in the Senate, said that despite being on opposite sides of the floor, she and Ms Robinson shared a camaraderie outside politics.
“It was a privilege to have known and worked with her in the Senate,” she said.
“Although we did not always agree, once business was done for the day we often chatted about everything from politics to fashion.
“She will be a tremendous miss to all who were blessed to know her.”
Douglas De Couto, an OBA senator, added that Ms Robinson was a passionate family woman.
He added that she was "quick with a smile, always friendly with all the senators and we would often share news about our families“.
Dr De Couto said: “She was dedicated to Bermuda and dedicated to her family, who are in our prayers.”
OBA senator Dwayne Robinson described Ms Robinson as “humble, kind and respectful inside and outside the Senate chamber”.
He said: “My ‘honourable cousin’, as we used to joke, will be missed.
“I respected her commitment to her beliefs and willingness to defend them.
“I am shocked and saddened by her passing. My condolences to her loved ones and family during this difficult time.”
The Senate president, Joan Dillas-Wright, said Ms Robinson was well respected and admired by all her colleagues as a “highly accomplished professional woman and caring member of the community who had committed to public service in the Senate”.
“Following her appointment to the Senate in November 2022, she quickly impressed us all with her preparation and presentation in debate and on the matters she carried responsibility for as the Junior Minister for Economy and Labour and Public Works.
“We will miss her.
“On behalf of my colleagues in the Senate, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Senator Robinson during this difficult time.”
Ms Robinson was appointed to the Senate in November 2022, when she was also given the role of Junior Minister of Economy and Labour and Public Works.
Ms Robinson was the senior vice-president, head of underwriting and claims, at Willis Towers Watson, with more than 33 years of experience in the financial services sector in Bermuda.
She was a former student of The Berkeley Institute and earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Emory University and was also an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London.
Ms Robinson was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Bermuda in 2008.
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