The chairwoman of the Women's Advisory Committee was incorrectly identified in yesterday's newspaper. She is Mrs. Kim Young.

Jubilant lawyer Miss Sonia Grant last night made history by becoming the first woman councillor on the Corporation of Hamilton.

And in another break with tradition Miss Grant was sworn in immediately afterwards in the Mayor's parlour.

"June 8 is going to be indelibly inscribed in the annals of Bermuda,'' she declared amid cheers from her supporters.

In a tense count at the City Hall, Miss Grant beat former banker and Sportseller owner Mr. Sutherland Madeiros for the vacant common councillor's spot.

She picked up 164 votes, compared to his 136 -- a margin of 28.

There were 301 votes cast, and one spoilt ballot paper. The turn-out was 55.9 percent.

As the outcome was announced a big cheer went up from Miss Grant's supporters.

It is the first time the Corporation has had a woman member in its 200-year history.

The vacancy followed April's election of the longest-serving Common Councillor to the post of Alderman.

Mr. Neville Conyers replaced the late Mr. McDonald Smith, owner of the Donald Smith travel agency.

The swearing-in ceremony for a Common Councillor is normally held on the Corporation's first meeting after the count.

But the Mayor the Wor. Cecil Dismont decided to cap a night of history-making by holding the ceremony in his parlour.

Mr. Dismont hailed Miss Grant's triumph as a breaking of barriers.

And he praised her for the hard work she had put into her election campaign.

Miss Grant said she hoped it would not take another 200 years for a woman to be elected.

"The Corporation has reached a significant milestone in its history with my election as councillor.

"I am indeed overwhelmed and I would say I am committed to seeing other women join the ranks of the Corporation.'' Miss Grant, who tried unsuccessfully to get on the Corporation in 1988, also hoped there would be a woman Alderman or Mayor within the next two decades.

"I would like to thank all the voters who have shown confidence in me,'' she added.

Among those who took part in a big election campaign for Miss Grant were the Business and Professional Women's Association of Bermuda.

President Mrs. Dolores Darrell said she was overjoyed at Miss Grant's victory.

Mrs. Kim White, chairman of the Women's Advisory Council, also voiced her delight.

She said it was a tremendous boost to have a woman in a "decision-making'' role on the Corporation.

Defeated Mr. Madeiros said he had been beaten by Miss Grant's well-drilled election campaign.

"It was really them against me. I'm not saying that detrimentally, but I think it's why I lost.'' Mr. Madeiros, however, would not rule out standing again.

Miss Sonia Grant.