Mayor Lois Perinchief is one of the most charismatic and respected leaders in St. George's. It's not because she has the top job, but because she is an extremely disciplined and talented leader who follows her spiritual beliefs and principals.

She grew up in St. George's and had the benefit of two wonderful parents, William Robinson and Amy Perinchief, who provided a loving and supportive home for her and her older brother, "Rob'', the late William Robinson Perinchief II.

They enjoyed a lifestyle which was focused on love, respect, education, and spending quality time together.

The family would take trips together and Miss Perinchief recalls that her first trip abroad was when she was ten years old.

They cruised to England on a ship called, Orbita and the passage took 11 days.

She reflected: "Coming back the seas were horrific and I prayed to die as I was feeling so very seasick.'' She advises that the three most valuable lessons which her parents taught were: "To believe in a higher power, God, and attend church on Sunday.

"Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

"Speak the truth and be honest with yourself.

"From a small girl I have followed these guidelines and I believe they have helped me become the successful leader which I have evolved into,'' she said softly.

Miss Perinchief has always been a goal oriented person and her parents encouraged her to set goals and reach them from a very early age.

By the age of ten she was fascinated with postage stamps and started saving all the Bermuda stamps which arrived at their home.

She would soak the stamps on the envelopes and they would slide off easily.

Then she placed them on a board to dry and afterward categorised according to price. They would be bundled up and put into an envelope and sent to Rothsheilds in England who paid her five to 25 shillings.

"Within a year I saved enough to buy my first watch which cost about five pounds. I ordered it by catalog from Samuel's of England and I was so thrilled when it came and my parents were pleased that I had earned it,'' she beamed.

This was a positive learning experience for her, a confidence builder and the start of her work ethic - if you focus on a task and work hard you will become successful. It was also the beginning of her love of watches which would impact her future.

As a young person she was smart with a mechanical aptitude, athletic and ambitious. She attended Albert College in Canada where she excelled in her studies and sports.

She was captain of her basketball team, competed in archery and swimming, and obtained a bronze medal in lifesaving. "Back then I was a go-getter, had a lot of energy and it was just my nature to be a winner!'' Miss Perinchief wanted to become an engineer but her father did not think it was a suitable job for a woman. She loved watches and decided to use her technical abilities to study horology, the science of watchmaking, at Central Tech School in Toronto.

Following graduation she returned to Bermuda and at age 20 in 1946 opened her own business in St. George's selling jewellry, making watch parts and performing watch repairs. Her's was the first shop in St. George's to have a watchmaker and she was the first woman horologist in Bermuda.

"My father was very supportive and helped me a bit in the shop with the clocks. In those days I had to make parts for watch repairs, it was not like today where the bits and pieces are already manufactured. The balance staff would be supported with rubies or other jewels to control the pivot of the internal wheel.'' During the 1950s Miss Perinchief was appointed to Bermuda's Social Welfare Board and served for 20 years. She has a strong love for Bermuda, particularly historic St. George's, and enjoys giving back through her commitment to numerous committees and boards.

She served as a Social Trustee to the Bermuda Library and has been on Marine and Ports and Tourism Boards.

In 1967 she was elected to the Corporation of St. George's as a councillor.

She gained considerable experience as a public servant prior to becoming Mayor of St. George's in 1997 and the first woman mayor of Bermuda.

"I felt overwhelmed when I won the Mayor's election. In past years a woman would never have been considered for such a task and I topped the poll!'' Miss Perinchief has a passion for her role as Mayor and loves all aspects of her work. She has met many members of the Royal Family. Another memorable person she recalls meeting is the Right Honourable Dr. Peter Nattrass, Lord Mayor of Perth, Austria.

"If you can see progression it is rewarding. We are progressing. The purpose of the Corporation is to be the administrator of our buildings, parks, wharf, streets and sanitation. We all work together and the Mayor is the head of the Corporation,'' she explained.

Throughout life she has enjoyed many achievements and her talents have been recognised: Became the first woman Justice of the Peace in Bermuda, appointed by Lord Martonmere May 20, 1968.

Appointed as bank director, 1969, one of only three women bank directors of the world at that time.

Empowered as a Member of the British Empire by the Queen in 1987.

When asked to describe herself she said: "I am a business woman who is friendly and outgoing. I love animals, enjoy nature, and I delight in seeing flowers in a garden.

"I like gardening and admire the lovely flowers which grow here. I have always grown fruits and vegetables too.'' Although she never married, she is a devoted mother to her adopted son, Larry, a gifted church organist. "I have a wonderful son and we share a close relationship.'' Miss Perinchief will be retiring as Mayor sometime this year and is looking forward to traveling and devoting more time to church work. She hopes to be remembered as a compassionate and loving person.

"I have tried to live a Christian life and I practise Christian principles.

My word is my bond. If I say I'm going to do something, I do it.'' A woman of many firsts: Mayor Lois Perinchief with Governor Masefield during the annual Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's.