George Town, Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories

Steps to Equality

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

1. Steps to Equality Marker - Main Panel

Inscription.

Steps to Equality. . 19th August 1948. These 24 women from George Town led the charge for equal rights for women by writing to Commissioner Ivor Otterbein Smith on Election Day 1948 declaring "that it is our intention to exercise our constitutional right to vote today, August 19th 1948 according to our conscience.", Olive Hinds . Valda Bodden . Ermyn Merren . Carolyn Hinds . Pansy Thompson . Sunbeam Thompson . Dareen Merren . Winston Watler . Roselyn Merren . Veta Bodden . R. Virginia Bodden . Ena Coe . R.J. Watler . Eve Merren . Sylvia Coe . Carley Merren . Georgette Hurlston . Violet Thompson . Roxie Bodden . Geo. A. Merren . Effié Anderson . Isabelle Granger . Pershing Merren . Goldie Banks, March April 1957. Three hundred and fifty eight women petitioned to the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry "that they should be permitted from henceforth to exercise the right of voting in elections," and "that they should be permitted to hold public office.", 8th December 1958. The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Law was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry of the Cayman Islands., Meticulous care and attention has been taken to record the women's signatures as they appear on the 1957 petition., The names of eight women have not been recorded as the petition was damaged in the 1972 fire of the original Government Administration Building which has resulted in these names being indecipherable. Names that appear twice are women of different districts with the same name., Etiza Banks . Jennie Banks . Miss Maxine Banks . Mrs Selverine Banks . Velma Banks . Faith Banks . Mrs Rebecca Barnes . Julia M Berry . Mrs W W Boddeen . A Bodden . Mrs Ada Bodden . Mrs Alodia Bodden . Miss Analyn Bodden . Mrs Berkley Bodden . Mrs Claradena Bodden . Mrs Coreal Bodden . Doris Bodden . Mrs Genevra Bodden . Genevieve Bodden . Mrs Gladys Bodden . Hope Bodden . Miss Iris Bodden . Iris Bodden . Lena Bodden . Leola Bodden . Mrs Lorna Bodden . Marie Bodden . Mariena Bodden . Merdene Bodden . Peggie Bodden . Mrs Richard Bodden . Mrs Verna Bodden . Miss Verneta Bodden . Miss Violet Bodden . Hazel Borden . Mary Borden . Marlene Brandon . Aleitha Bush . Alma Bush . Mrs Charles C Bush . Edna E Bush . Gertie Bush . U I Bush . Mrs Vandyke Bush . Velona Bush . Mrs Elsa Carter . Miss Elva Carter . Miss Marie Carter . Miss Pearl Carter . Miss Audrey Chisholm . Mrs Ariel Christian . Mrs Betty Clark . Mrs lanthe Clarke . Mrs Charles Clifford . Mrs Ross (Pearl) Coe . Sylvia E Coe . Mrs W S Coe . Mrs Angelia Connolly . Mrs Carmen Connolly . Miss Iva Connolly . Mrs Weddie Connolly . Mrs lanthe Connor . Mrs Orrett Connor . Mrs Roselee Connor . Eleese Connor-Connoly . Mrs Alix Conolly . Mrs Arnold Conolly . Mrs Burton Conolly . Carmen Conolly . Mrs Cleopathra Conolly . Miss Corine Conolly . Mrs Dora Conolly . Mrs Geroldane Conolly . Mrs Gwendolyn Conolly . Mrs Iris Conolly . Mrs Louise Conolly . Mrs Nina Conolly . Mrs Petrona Conolly . Starr Creighton . Agnis Dixon . Amy Dixon . Elenor Dixon . Mrs Leury Dixon . Mrs Mercenita Dixon . Minnette Dixon . Mrs Natalie Dixon . Mrs Tina Dixon . Aldith Ebanks . Mrs Alvernie Ebanks . Miss Antionette Ebanks . Mrs Arthur H Ebanks . Bessie Ebanks . Cleta Ebanks . Mrs Craddock Ebanks . Dell Ebanks . Mrs Earnest Ebanks . Elizabeth Ebanks . Miss Elsie Ebanks . Mrs Erena Ebanks . Ethel Ebanks . Ethlin Ebanks . Mrs Everell Ebanks . Helen R Ebanks . Hildred U Ebanks . Hussie Ebanks . Ina Ebanks . Lillian Ebanks . Madge Ebanks . Mrs Marlin H Ebanks . Mavis Ebanks . Mrs Melvina Ebanks . Nesta Ebanks . Neva Ebanks . Mrs Norma Ebanks . Mrs Norman G Ebanks . Mrs Rhena Ebanks . Miss Sarah Ebanks . Stella Ebanks . Mrs Swanson C Ebanks . Vida Dell Ebanks . Miss Viola Ebanks . Mrs Wesley Ebanks . Mrs William B Ebanks . Mrs Alexander Eden . Ethleen EdenMyrtle Eden . Mrs Dollie Farrell . Alicia Farrington . Mrs Charles Farrington . Mrs Ethel Farrington . Jen Farrington . Jemima Frederick . Mrs Keith Frederick . Patricia Frederick . Mrs Sylvia Frederick . Mrs Tally Frederick . Hilda Glidden . Hope Glidden-Borden . Mrs Admedia Godfrey . Hazel Godfrey . Jenice Godfrey . Mrs Elizabeth Greene . Mrs Harrington Greene . Eula Harris . Miss A L Henderson . Ada Henning . Nell Henning . Sylvie Henning . Rosa Hill . Olive Hinds . Mrs Hector Hudson . Anna Hunter . Mrs Gwyneth Hunter . Dortha Hurlston . Mrs Rubie Hurlstone . Aditha Hydes . Essie Dell Hydes . Mrs Moses Hydes . Pearla Hydes . Mrs Joyce Hylton . Mrs Alida Jackson . Mrs Cathy Jackson . Mrs Edison Jackson . Emily Jackson . Miss F E Jackson . Miss Flossiebell Jackson . Mrs Francine Jackson . Grace Jackson . Mrs June Jackson . Lilly B Jackson . Mary A Jackson . Peggy Jackson . Mrs Willie Jackson . Miss Naomi Jeffers . Norma M Jefferson . Iva Johnson . Miss E Kelly . Miss Naomi Kelly . Mrs Doris Levy . Mrs Nettie Levy . Mrs Pearl Levy . Louise Llewellyn . Celena Manderson . Mrs Rita Martinez . Rita McBean . Agatha McCarthy . Miss Alma McCoy . Mrs Frank McCoy . Mrs Harris McCoy . Miss Hazel McCoy . Miss Maybelle McCoy . Mrs Nanlein McCoy . Mrs Theoline L McCoy . Miss Udell McCoy . Audrey Mcfarlin . Mrs Aileen McField . Mrs Escenta McField . Treaty McField . Miss Beryl McLaughlin . Mrs Dianna McLaughlin . Mrs Effie McLaughlin . Mrs Emily McLaughlin . Mrs Enid McLaughlin . Mrs Ethel McLaughlin . Mrs Evangeline McLaughlin . Mrs Joyce McLaughlin . Sibyl McLaughlin . Mrs Sybil McLaughlin . Mrs Vernicia McLaughlin . Mrs McLaughlin . Margaret McLean . Mrs Violet McLean . D.C McTaggart . Frances P McTaggart . Mrs Adella Medina . Daireen Merren . Ermyn Merren . Gerdie Merren . Patsy Ruth Merren . Velida Merren . Mrs Ellery Miller . Mrs Erna Miller . Miss Louise Miller . Mae Miller . Mrs Olive Moore . Trella Myles . Mrs Anzie C Panton . Julia Panton . Norma Panton . Mrs OL Panton . Eursel Parchment . Effie Parsons . Ernestine Parsons . Gloria Parsons . Mrs Lucille Parsons . Marion Parsons . Roselee Parsons . Mrs Ruby Pearson . Mrs Austin Piercy . Mrs Ceicley Pierson . Mrs Felicia Pouchie . Adujah Powell . Althea Powell . Azalia Powell . Miss Alice Miller . Mrs Leroy Powell . Mrs Mavis Powell . Margaret Ramoon . Mrs Geneva Range . Mrs Caril Rankin . Mrs Claratta Rankin . Mrs Marie Rankin . Miss Rachel Rankin . Mrs Asenta Rankine . Mrs Catherine Rankine . Mrs Claire Rankine-McLean . Louise Reynolds . Mrs Islay Ritch . Mrs Jessie Ritch . Coriel Rivers . Miss Merris Rivers . Miriam Rivers . Olga Rivers . Flora Robinson . Mrs Idena Ryan . Mrs Wilford Ryan . Mrs Clyde E Scott . Mrs Emmlyin Scott . Miss Violentie Scott . Mrs Alga Seymour . Leila E Shier . Beulah Smith . Edna Smith . Miss Elvy Smith . Mrs Enid Smith . Genevieve Smith . Gwen Smith . Icely Smith . Mrs Leonie Smith . Mrs Nell Smith . Miss Phyllis Smith . Mrs Ruth Smith . Senovia Solomon . Rosalie Stuart . Rebecca Swaby . Phebe Tatum . Mrs Edward Terry . Miss Greta Terry . Mrs Caroline Thompson . Dorothy Thompson . Grace Thompson . Gwendolyn Thompson . Mrs Lucy Thompson . Mazie Thompson . Norma Thompson . Pansy Thompson . Rosie Thompson . Selma Thompson . Una Thompson . Melba Tibbetts . G Elenor Washburn . Mrs Armentia Watler . Miss Corabelle Watler . Dora Watler . Dosie Watler . Goldie Banks . Mrs. Edna Mae Watler . Effie Watler . Mrs Ena Watler . Mrs Esmine Mary Watler . Estelle Watler . Mrs Eunice Watler . Mrs Franklin C Watler . Mrs Gwendolyn Watler . Mrs James Watler . Jennie Watler . Miss Maida Watler . Mattie Watler . Miss May Watler . Mersades Watler . Mrs Olympia Watler . Mrs Selbine Watler . Miss Lora Watson . Mrs Watson . Mrs Melda Welcome . Mrs Stella Welcome . Ena Welds . Mrs Lucy Welds . Mae West . Mrs Beryl Whittaker . Miss Clarice Whittaker . Mrs Delores Whittaker . Miss Esther Whittaker . Miss Gloria Whitaker . Mrs Grace Whittaker . Mrs Harvey Whittaker . Mrs Jemima Whittaker . Miss Lola Whittaker . Miss Marina Whittaker . Mrs Olga Whittaker . Mrs. Rita Whittaker . Mrs Robert Whittaker . Miss Alice Wood . Mrs Elma (Dosie) Wood . Miss Evelyn Wood . Mrs Ina Wood . Miss Merle Wood . Miss Valentine Wood . Mrs Willie Wood . Mrs James Wood Jr . Mrs Annie Woods

19th August 1948 These 24 women from George Town led the charge for equal rights for women by writing to Commissioner Ivor Otterbein Smith on Election Day 1948 declaring "that it is our intention to exercise our constitutional right to vote today, August 19th 1948 according to our conscience."

Olive Hinds • Valda Bodden • Ermyn Merren • Carolyn Hinds • Pansy Thompson • Sunbeam Thompson • Dareen Merren • Winston Watler • Roselyn Merren • Veta Bodden • R. Virginia Bodden • Ena Coe • R.J. Watler • Eve Merren • Sylvia Coe • Carley Merren • Georgette Hurlston • Violet Thompson • Roxie Bodden • Geo. A. Merren • Effié Anderson • Isabelle Granger • Pershing Merren • Goldie Banks

March April 1957 Three hundred and fifty eight women petitioned to the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry "that they should be permitted from henceforth to exercise the right of voting in elections," and "that they should be permitted to hold public office."

8th December 1958 The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Law was passed by the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry of the Cayman Islands.

Meticulous

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care and attention has been taken to record the women's signatures as they appear on the 1957 petition.

The names of eight women have not been recorded as the petition was damaged in the 1972 fire of the original Government Administration Building which has resulted in these names being indecipherable. Names that appear twice are women of different districts with the same name.

Etiza Banks • Jennie Banks • Miss Maxine Banks • Mrs Selverine Banks • Velma Banks • Faith Banks • Mrs Rebecca Barnes • Julia M Berry • Mrs W W Boddeen • A Bodden • Mrs Ada Bodden • Mrs Alodia Bodden • Miss Analyn Bodden • Mrs Berkley Bodden • Mrs Claradena Bodden • Mrs Coreal Bodden • Doris Bodden • Mrs Genevra Bodden • Genevieve Bodden • Mrs Gladys Bodden • Hope Bodden • Miss Iris Bodden • Iris Bodden • Lena Bodden • Leola Bodden • Mrs Lorna Bodden • Marie Bodden • Mariena Bodden • Merdene Bodden • Peggie Bodden • Mrs Richard Bodden • Mrs Verna Bodden • Miss Verneta Bodden • Miss Violet Bodden • Hazel Borden • Mary Borden • Marlene Brandon • Aleitha Bush • Alma Bush • Mrs Charles C Bush • Edna E Bush • Gertie Bush

Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 2 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

2. Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 2

• U I Bush • Mrs Vandyke Bush • Velona Bush • Mrs Elsa Carter • Miss Elva Carter • Miss Marie Carter • Miss Pearl Carter • Miss Audrey Chisholm • Mrs Ariel Christian • Mrs Betty Clark • Mrs lanthe Clarke • Mrs Charles Clifford • Mrs Ross (Pearl) Coe • Sylvia E Coe • Mrs W S Coe • Mrs Angelia Connolly • Mrs Carmen Connolly • Miss Iva Connolly • Mrs Weddie Connolly • Mrs lanthe Connor • Mrs Orrett Connor • Mrs Roselee Connor • Eleese Connor-Connoly • Mrs Alix Conolly • Mrs Arnold Conolly • Mrs Burton Conolly • Carmen Conolly • Mrs Cleopathra Conolly • Miss Corine Conolly • Mrs Dora Conolly • Mrs Geroldane Conolly • Mrs Gwendolyn Conolly • Mrs Iris Conolly • Mrs Louise Conolly • Mrs Nina Conolly • Mrs Petrona Conolly • Starr Creighton • Agnis Dixon • Amy Dixon • Elenor Dixon • Mrs Leury Dixon • Mrs Mercenita Dixon • Minnette Dixon • Mrs Natalie Dixon • Mrs Tina Dixon • Aldith Ebanks • Mrs Alvernie Ebanks • Miss Antionette Ebanks • Mrs Arthur H Ebanks • Bessie Ebanks • Cleta Ebanks • Mrs Craddock Ebanks • Dell Ebanks • Mrs Earnest Ebanks • Elizabeth Ebanks • Miss Elsie Ebanks • Mrs

Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

3. Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 3

Erena Ebanks • Ethel Ebanks • Ethlin Ebanks • Mrs Everell Ebanks • Helen R Ebanks • Hildred U Ebanks • Hussie Ebanks • Ina Ebanks • Lillian Ebanks • Madge Ebanks • Mrs Marlin H Ebanks • Mavis Ebanks • Mrs Melvina Ebanks • Nesta Ebanks • Neva Ebanks • Mrs Norma Ebanks • Mrs Norman G Ebanks • Mrs Rhena Ebanks • Miss Sarah Ebanks • Stella Ebanks • Mrs Swanson C Ebanks • Vida Dell Ebanks • Miss Viola Ebanks • Mrs Wesley Ebanks • Mrs William B Ebanks • Mrs Alexander Eden • Ethleen EdenMyrtle Eden • Mrs Dollie Farrell • Alicia Farrington • Mrs Charles Farrington • Mrs Ethel Farrington • Jen Farrington • Jemima Frederick • Mrs Keith Frederick • Patricia Frederick • Mrs Sylvia Frederick • Mrs Tally Frederick • Hilda Glidden • Hope Glidden-Borden • Mrs Admedia Godfrey • Hazel Godfrey • Jenice Godfrey • Mrs Elizabeth Greene • Mrs Harrington Greene • Eula Harris • Miss A L Henderson • Ada Henning • Nell Henning • Sylvie Henning • Rosa Hill • Olive Hinds • Mrs Hector Hudson • Anna Hunter • Mrs Gwyneth Hunter • Dortha Hurlston • Mrs Rubie Hurlstone • Aditha Hydes • Essie Dell Hydes • Mrs

Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 4 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

4. Steps to Equality Marker - Panel 4

Moses Hydes • Pearla Hydes • Mrs Joyce Hylton • Mrs Alida Jackson • Mrs Cathy Jackson • Mrs Edison Jackson • Emily Jackson • Miss F E Jackson • Miss Flossiebell Jackson • Mrs Francine Jackson • Grace Jackson • Mrs June Jackson • Lilly B Jackson • Mary A Jackson • Peggy Jackson • Mrs Willie Jackson • Miss Naomi Jeffers • Norma M Jefferson • Iva Johnson • Miss E Kelly • Miss Naomi Kelly • Mrs Doris Levy • Mrs Nettie Levy • Mrs Pearl Levy • Louise Llewellyn • Celena Manderson • Mrs Rita Martinez • Rita McBean • Agatha McCarthy • Miss Alma McCoy • Mrs Frank McCoy • Mrs Harris McCoy • Miss Hazel McCoy • Miss Maybelle McCoy • Mrs Nanlein McCoy • Mrs Theoline L McCoy • Miss Udell McCoy • Audrey Mcfarlin • Mrs Aileen McField • Mrs Escenta McField • Treaty McField • Miss Beryl McLaughlin • Mrs Dianna McLaughlin • Mrs Effie McLaughlin • Mrs Emily McLaughlin • Mrs Enid McLaughlin • Mrs Ethel McLaughlin • Mrs Evangeline McLaughlin • Mrs Joyce McLaughlin • Sibyl McLaughlin • Mrs Sybil McLaughlin • Mrs Vernicia McLaughlin • Mrs McLaughlin • Margaret McLean • Mrs Violet McLean • D.C McTaggart

The view of the Steps to Equality Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

5. The view of the Steps to Equality Marker from the street

• Frances P McTaggart • Mrs Adella Medina • Daireen Merren • Ermyn Merren • Gerdie Merren • Patsy Ruth Merren • Velida Merren • Mrs Ellery Miller • Mrs Erna Miller • Miss Louise Miller • Mae Miller • Mrs Olive Moore • Trella Myles • Mrs Anzie C Panton • Julia Panton • Norma Panton • Mrs OL Panton • Eursel Parchment • Effie Parsons • Ernestine Parsons • Gloria Parsons • Mrs Lucille Parsons • Marion Parsons • Roselee Parsons • Mrs Ruby Pearson • Mrs Austin Piercy • Mrs Ceicley Pierson • Mrs Felicia Pouchie • Adujah Powell • Althea Powell • Azalia Powell • Miss Alice Miller • Mrs Leroy Powell • Mrs Mavis Powell • Margaret Ramoon • Mrs Geneva Range • Mrs Caril Rankin • Mrs Claratta Rankin • Mrs Marie Rankin • Miss Rachel Rankin • Mrs Asenta Rankine • Mrs Catherine Rankine • Mrs Claire Rankine-McLean • Louise Reynolds • Mrs Islay Ritch • Mrs Jessie Ritch • Coriel Rivers • Miss Merris Rivers • Miriam Rivers • Olga Rivers • Flora Robinson • Mrs Idena Ryan • Mrs Wilford Ryan • Mrs Clyde E Scott • Mrs Emmlyin Scott • Miss Violentie Scott • Mrs Alga Seymour • Leila E Shier • Beulah

The Aspiration Statue in front of the Steps to Equality marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

6. The Aspiration Statue in front of the Steps to Equality marker

Smith • Edna Smith • Miss Elvy Smith • Mrs Enid Smith • Genevieve Smith • Gwen Smith • Icely Smith • Mrs Leonie Smith • Mrs Nell Smith • Miss Phyllis Smith • Mrs Ruth Smith • Senovia Solomon • Rosalie Stuart • Rebecca Swaby • Phebe Tatum • Mrs Edward Terry • Miss Greta Terry • Mrs Caroline Thompson • Dorothy Thompson • Grace Thompson • Gwendolyn Thompson • Mrs Lucy Thompson • Mazie Thompson • Norma Thompson • Pansy Thompson • Rosie Thompson • Selma Thompson • Una Thompson • Melba Tibbetts • G Elenor Washburn • Mrs Armentia Watler • Miss Corabelle Watler • Dora Watler • Dosie Watler • Goldie Banks • Mrs. Edna Mae Watler • Effie Watler • Mrs Ena Watler • Mrs Esmine Mary Watler • Estelle Watler • Mrs Eunice Watler • Mrs Franklin C Watler • Mrs Gwendolyn Watler • Mrs James Watler • Jennie Watler • Miss Maida Watler • Mattie Watler • Miss May Watler • Mersades Watler • Mrs Olympia Watler • Mrs Selbine Watler • Miss Lora Watson • Mrs Watson • Mrs Melda Welcome • Mrs Stella Welcome • Ena Welds • Mrs Lucy Welds • Mae West • Mrs Beryl Whittaker • Miss Clarice Whittaker • Mrs Delores

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Whittaker • Miss Esther Whittaker • Miss Gloria Whitaker • Mrs Grace Whittaker • Mrs Harvey Whittaker • Mrs Jemima Whittaker • Miss Lola Whittaker • Miss Marina Whittaker • Mrs Olga Whittaker • Mrs. Rita Whittaker • Mrs Robert Whittaker • Miss Alice Wood • Mrs Elma (Dosie) Wood • Miss Evelyn Wood • Mrs Ina Wood • Miss Merle Wood • Miss Valentine Wood • Mrs Willie Wood • Mrs James Wood Jr • Mrs Annie Woods

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is August 19, 1948.

Location. 19° 17.79′ N, 81° 22.897′ W. Marker is in George Town, Cayman Islands. It is at the intersection of Fort Street and Edward Street, on the right when traveling east on Fort Street. The marker is located in Heroes Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fort St 42, George Town, Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is one of the Lesser Antilles

on the Caribbean Sea,

in North America,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hon. William Warren Conolly, OBE, JP (here, next to this marker); Hon. Ormond Lauder Panton, OBE (here, next to this marker); Honourable Leila Elberta Ross-Shier, Cert. Hon. (here, next to this marker); Hon. Sybil Joyce Hylton, MBE (a few steps from this marker); Hon. Desmond Vere Watler, CBE (a few steps from this marker); Hon. Sybil Ione McLaughlin, MBE, JP (a few steps from this marker); Honourable James (Jim) Manoah Bodden (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Dr. Roy Edison McTaggart (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in George Town.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.