The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced a week-long National Celebration in honour of the beloved daughter of the soil, The Right Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, on the occasion of her retirement from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Photo: ECSC

The celebrations, which will run from October 21 to 27, 2024, will feature fourteen (14) public and private events. Photo: GIS

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting members of the public to participate in the National Celebrations for the Right Honourable Dame Janice M. Pereira, DBE, on the occasion of her retirement from the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Photo: GIS

The celebrations themed, ‘Celebrating our Radiant Daughter: A Journey from the Virgin Islands to the Privy Council’, are also being held on her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.

The celebrations, which will run from October 21 to 27, 2024, will feature fourteen (14) public and private events.

'Honouring our radiant daughter'

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley (R9) said in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release, “The Right Honourable Dame Janice Pereira has had a remarkable career of service to the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean, which is evident through her recent appointment to His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council.”

The Premier added, “As a Virgin Islander, she has set an incredible example, proving that the sky is not the limit, but our only limit is ourselves. We are proud to celebrate these accomplishments, and I encourage the entire Territory to join us in honouring our radiant daughter.”

Glass ceiling breaker

In 1981, Dame Janice Pereira became one of the first women called to the bar of the Virgin Islands. She later sat as a High Court Judge, received an appointment to the Court of Appeal and was then appointed as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in 2012. In May 2024, she retired as Chief Justice following a historic and transformative tenure.

The accomplished daughter of the Virgin Islands’ soil, Dame Pereira, will create more history for the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean when she sits as a judge on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in London for a week in December. 

The National Celebration is scheduled to begin with the airing of a Primetime Special that examines the life and story of Dame Janice and also features daily General Knowledge Quizzes on ZBVI, school visits, courtesy calls and a youth brunch.

As part of the celebrations, the public is invited to attend a Special Lecture by Dame Janice M. Pereira at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a Special Sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court at the Multipurpose Sports Complex and a Celebratory Church Service at the Church of God (Holiness) in North Sound, Virgin Gorda.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting members of the public to participate in the National Celebrations.