George Town, Cayman Islands, British Overseas Territories

Women's Suffrage

Photographed by James Hulse, February 11, 2025

1. Women's Suffrage Marker

Inscription. A petition signed by 358 women from seven districts on Grand Cayman, including 88 from George Town and 27 from Crewe Road, was placed before the Legislative Assembly of Justices and Vestry on 27 May 1957. These women requested "that they should be permitted from henceforth to exercise the right of voting in elections... and be permitted to hold public office..."

On 8 December 1958, the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Law was passed by the Legislative of Justices and Vestry of the Cayman Islands and, on 23 September 1959, Caymanian women finally participated in the electoral process for the very first time.

Meticulous care and attention have been taken to record the women's signatures as they appear on the 1957 petition. The original petition was damaged in the 1972 fire at the Government Administration Building, this resulted in four of the 358 names being indecipherable and thus unable to be recorded.

Faith Banks • Miss Maxine Banks • Mrs. Selverine Banks • DH Bodden • Mrs. Ethel Rose • Cook Bodden • Genevieve Bodden • Lena Bodden • Marie Bodden • Mariena Bodden • Mrs. Richard Bodden • Mrs. W. W. Bodden

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• Hazel Borden • Mary Borden • Marlene Brandon • Alma Bush • Edna E. Bush • Una Idene Bush • Mrs. Betty Clark • Mrs. lanthe Clarke • Mrs. Charles Clifford • Mrs. Ross Coe • Sylvia E. Coe • Mrs. W. S. Coe • Mrs. Orrett Connor • Starr Creighton • Agnis Dixon • Amy Dixon • Elenor Dixon • Minnette Dixon • Miss Antionette Ebanks • Cleta Ebanks • Mrs. Alexander Eden • Ethleen Eden • Myrtle Eden • Mrs. Dollie Farrell • Jemima Frederick • Hope D. E. Glidden-Borden • Hazel Godfrey • Jenice Godfrey • Lula Harris • Miss Annie Lee Henderson • Rosa Hill • Olive Hinds • Mrs. Hector Hudson • Anna Hunter • Dortha Hurlston • Mrs. Joyce Hylton • Mrs. Calley Jackson • Emily Jackson • Miss Flores E. Jackson • Miss June Jackson • Mrs. Willie Jackson • Norma M. Jefferson • Iva Johnson • Louise Llewellyn • Celena Manderson • Rita Martinez • Rita McBean • Agatha McCarthy • Audrey McFarlin • Leatty Eugene McField • Mrs. Effie McLaughlin • Sibyl McLaughlin • Margaret McLean • Mrs. Violet McLean • Doris Cooper-McTaggart • Frances P. McTaggart • Daireen Merren • Ermyn Merren • Patsy Ruth Merren • Velida

The view of the Women's Suffrage Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse

2. The view of the Women's Suffrage Marker from across the street

Merren • Verdie Merren • Mae Miller • Trella Myles • Anzie C. Panton • Norma Panton • Mrs. O. L. Panton • Ernestine Parsons • Roselee Parsons • Mrs. Austin Piercy • Margaret Ramoon • Ermyn Amelia Rankin • Janice Rankin • Mrs. Idena Ryan • Mrs. Wilford Ryan • Mrs. Clyde E. Scott • Mrs. Alga Seymour • Lelia E Shier • Senovia Solomon • Rosalie Stuart • Phebe Tatum • Dorothy Thompson • Grace Thompson • Gwendolyn Thompson • Mrs. Lucy Thompson • Mrs. Mack Thompson • Mazie Thompson • Norma Thompson • Pansy Thompson • Rosie Thompson • Selma Thompson • Melba Tibbetts • Dora Watler • Dosie Watler • Effie Watler • Ena Watler • Estelle Watler • Mrs. Eunice Watler • Jennie Watler • Mattie Watler • Mersades Watler • Ouida Irene Watson • Mae West • Mrs. Rita Whittaker • Mrs. Annis Marie Wood

Special acknowledgement to the four ladies who ran in the first general election held after the adoption of our first written constitution for the Cayman Islands on 4 July 1959.

Mrs. Birdell Jackson (West Bay)
Mrs. Ethel Cook-Bodden (George Town)
Mrs. Francine Jackson (Bodden Town)
Mrs. Laurel Watler (Bodden

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Town)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 27, 1957.

Location. 19° 17.803′ N, 81° 22.892′ W. Marker is in George Town, Cayman Islands. It is at the intersection of Fort Street and The marker is located in Heroes Square, on the left when traveling east on Fort Street. The marker is located across the street from the 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: Steps to Equality (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Ormond Lauder Panton, OBE (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. William Warren Conolly, OBE, JP (within shouting distance of this marker); Honourable Leila Elberta Ross-Shier, Cert. Hon. (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Sybil Joyce Hylton, MBE (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Desmond Vere Watler, CBE (within shouting distance of this marker); Honourable James (Jim) Manoah Bodden (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Sybil Ione McLaughlin, MBE, JP (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 184 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.