As part of Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebration, the commemoration of a statue of a slave who gave her life for racial equality was unveiled yesterday of the lawn of the Cabinet Office.

Sally Bassett was a slave who rose up against the injustice of slave owners and in contempt for the ill treatment of her granddaughter Beck, who was owned by mariner Thomas Foster, Sally attempted to poison Mr. Forster, his wife and their slave Nancey.

Nancey found the poison that was meant to kill them and reported Sally to the Fosters. Her punishment for doing such was to be burned at the stake for the entire Island to watch.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Tiki torches were lit and placed around the statue to commemorate and honour the struggle of Ms. Bassett during a Torch Lighting Ceremony.

Prior to the Torch Lighting Ceremony of the monument, the crowd was entertained with a selection by the Bermuda African Dance Company and Negro spirituals performed by Toni Robinson.

Dr. Kim Dismont-Robinson read excerpt from her Sally Bassett story 'Trial by Fire' which was brought to life as part of last year's celebration of the African Diaspora events.

"Sally Bassett was clearly a significant figure in the history of Bermuda.

"She is a figure who is still respected, and who serves as an icon for many people on the Island," said Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said of the statue: "A debt of gratitude is owed to Carlos Dowling. He has done his country proud.

"I worry that someday the sound of Sally's story will no longer echo between my limestone house and yours.

"Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, this monument is forever. The story of Sally Bassett will live for at least as long as this monument stands.

"All of us must forge ahead in our effort to make history, to shatter glass ceilings, to confront historic wrongs. These are uphill tasks and sometimes you are turned back. But in my mind that has never been a reason to quit.

"The Sally Bassett monument is about ensuring everyday that the story of Sally Bassett lasts at least until tomorrow."