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Dame Ivy Dumont is the most recent living legend to have a building named in her honour. Dame Ivy Dumont’s contributions to nation building span a career in the public service, politics, private sector, and union affiliation. This multi-purpose building funded by the National Insurance Board was ceremonially named the Ivy L. Dumont Building on Monday July 5th, 2021 and houses the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture.

Beyond her noteworthy firsts, as the Bahamas’ first female Governor General and the first and only female Minister of Education, this pioneer has also held Minister of Health and the Environment, Minister of Education and Youth, and Deputy Director of Education posts. She also prides herself on the stepping stone titles that brought her to those positions- seamstress, teacher, and Education Officer, among others.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis, who marked the naming ceremony as the start of the country’s 48th Independence Day celebrations, delivered the keynote address. He boasted of Dame Ivy Dumont’s remarkable character and achievements. “Many accomplishments and successes were achieved in large measure because of individuals like Ivy Dumont, who poured her life blood and her heart into education,” he said. Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis added, “There are numerous stories of the many young men and women of various generations Dame Ivy Dumont mentored with kindness and, when needed, a strong and firm hand.”

In addition to unveiling a building sign and plaque with Dame Ivy Dumont’s name, the ceremony featured musical and dance performances by stellar students and tributes by family members and community leaders. Past and present dignitaries representing the Ministries of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Public Service and the National Insurance Board as well as other government agencies and civic partners were also in attendance.

Minister for the Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle, remarked, “it fills me with immeasurable pride knowing that this building is the home of two Ministries: one that has responsibility for ensuring that all persons in The Bahamas are provided with the opportunity to receive a quality education, and the other with responsibility for promoting all aspects of youth development, sporting excellence and Bahamian culture.” The now ‘Ivy L. Dumont Building’ on University Drive, which is owned by the National Insurance Board, is just one of many examples of NIB’s commitment to assist in the social and infrastructural development of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The now ‘Ivy L. Dumont Building’ on University Drive, which is owned by the National Insurance Board, is just one of many examples of NIB’s commitment to assist in the social and infrastructural development of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. This multi-purpose building houses the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture. Photo Credit: BIS PHOTO/PATRICK HANNA

L-R: The Honourable Brensil Rolle, Minister for the Public Service and National Insurance; Troy Smith, Chairman of NIB; James Moss, Director of NIB; Geoffrey Stuart, Deputy Chairman of NIB

The Prime Minister and other government dignitaries representing the Ministries of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Public Service and the National Insurance Board celebrated with Dame Ivy Dumont and her family as she unveiled the plaque mounted on the NIB building named in her honour.