Attorney General Lois Browne Evans has received one of the highest commendations available to a woman in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

She will now be known as the Hon. Dame Lois Browne Evans DBE JP MP after the announcement was made this weekend, joining ten other Bermudians who have been honoured.

Former Commissioner of Police Lennett Edwards will receive the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and broadcaster Ira Philip became a Member of the British Empire (MBE).

Dame Lois decided to accept the honour -- which PLP members have traditionally rejected -- after consulting with her children and husband.

Previously, after turning down a CBE, she commented that she would rather an independent Bermuda had its own "people awards'', but age and the first ever PLP Government had changed her mind.

"I was so surprised because I didn't know my name had been submitted. I feel that the Premier had something to do with it,'' she said yesterday.

"I am flattered and glad to have the opportunity. I discussed it with my children who all said `you must take it'.

"I am extremely happy about it and my family are also.'' Bermuda's first female barrister and first black Bermudian woman to win a seat in the House of Assembly, she was also the first female Leader of the Opposition in the Commonwealth.

Dame Lois became Minister of Legislative Affairs following the PLP's November 9 election victory, and subsequently became the first political Attorney General in modern politics.

The Devonshire North MP said she would be attending the investiture.

Edwards made an OBE Mrs. Browne Evans said she expected she would be accompanied by her children in London, after they were unable to attend her swearing in as Legislative Affairs Minister following the November General Election.

Lennett Edwards was awarded his OBE following 35 years service to the Police, including three years as Commissioner.

After joining in 1961, he rose through the ranks to become Deputy Commissioner in 1990 and achieved the top post two years later, before ill health forced his retirement.

Ira Philip MBE has been involved with the communications industry for over 50 years. A former chairman of the PLP, he sat in the Senate and on the Board of Education. He has been involved in both the print and broadcast media, has trained many young broadcasters and was editor of the now defunct Bermuda Recorder.

Recipients of the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour were End to End charity walk organisers Eugene Carmichael and Valerie Dill, also a leading community worker.

Mrs. Beatrice Ann Hayward, a volunteer at the St. George's Parish Rest Home, renowned musician Wendell (Shine) Hayward, architect John Hollis Kaufmann, retired lawyer William Robert Kempe, youth worker Cromwell Mujahid Ameen Shakir and Bermuda Aquarium principal curator Richard Winchell all received the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Dame Lois Browne-Evans Lennett Edwards OBE Ira Philip MBE Eugene Carmichael Valerie Dill Beatrice Hayward Wendell (Shine) Hayward John Kaufmann William Kempe Cromwell Shakir Richard Winchell