Kerryann Ifill | |
|---|---|
| President of the Senate of Barbados | |
| In office March 2012 –May 2018 | |
| Prime Minister | Freundel Stuart |
| Preceded by | Branford Taitt |
| Succeeded by | Richard Cheltenham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1973 |
Kerryann F. Ifill (born 20 December 1973) [1] is a Barbadian politician. She served as President of the Senate of Barbados from 2012 to 2018. [2]
She lost her sight due to cataracts at the age of four. She initially had to leave school,before attending a school for the blind from the age of six. [3]
In 1999 Ifill became the first blind person to graduate from the University of the West Indies,gaining a degree in Sociology and Psychology from Cave Hill Campus in her native Barbados. She went on to obtain an MBA at Durham Business School,in England. [1] She had initially considered studying law,with an aim to become a lawyer,but believed she would be unable to achieve that as a blind person,a belief she subsequently regretted. [3]
In 2008 Barbadian Prime Minister David Thompson appointed her to the Senate,and subsequently to the position of deputy President of the Senate. [3]
On 14 March 2012,Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced that,the following week,he would appoint Ifill President of the Senate. She became the first woman to hold that position,and the first person with a disability,as well as the youngest ever holder of the position,at the age of 38. She succeeded Branford Taitt [4] [5] [6] (in office 2008 to 2012).
Ifill also serves as President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled. [7]