The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Seventy years ago, Sir Cyrus Ulysses Davis became the first Bahamian to be given an honour by the Vatican when he was appointed as a Knight of St Gregory the Great in 1949.

Today, his daughter Marjorie Davis is following in her father’s footsteps. Pope Francis bestowed the honour of Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Sylvester on the retired educator.

Ms Davis’ investiture took place on Tuesday at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, where family, loved ones and fellow church members convened for a special recognition ceremony.

During the investiture, Ms Davis was acknowledged for her efforts over the years and received her medal.

Though Ms Davis has dedicated much of her time and talent serving both Catholic and civic organisations – she has been described as an “exemplary Catholic and outstanding Bahamian” – the honour was not one she saw coming.

She told Tribune Religion she felt highly esteemed to be honoured in the same way her father was. The purpose of the Order of St Sylvester is to recognise Catholic men and women who have been outstanding in the faith and in their professional duties, the archdiocese added.

According to the Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau, Ms Davis has had an outstanding career as an educator.

She rose to the rank of Director of Education in the Ministry of Education before retiring in 1988. She is also a long-standing parishioner of St Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Ms Davis who, was born the second of 12 children to Sir Cyrus Ulysses and Hilda Davis, began her career in education as a teacher at Government High School, where she had previously been a student, obtaining a Grade 1 Senior Cambridge Certificate.

Following her high school career she attended the University of Toronto, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies. In 1950 she obtained her Teacher’s Certificate from the Ontario College of Education. She proceeded to teach Latin as well as Spanish, Mathematics, Accounts/Bookkeeping, Commerce and Religious Studies. For 19 years Ms Davis was a teacher at Government High School and was also the Girl Guides leader at the school (the 3rd Nassau Company).

In 1970, Ms Davis was appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Girl Guides Central District and eventually Chief Commissioner in 1993. She has been a member of Girl Guides for over 66 years.

In 1965, she received an Advanced Diploma in Education from the University of Hull in England and continued her education further in 1969 when she completed her Master of Education degree with a major in Guidance and Counselling from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

In 1970, she returned home where she joined the Ministry of Education as an education officer, being appointed senior education officer in charge of Guidance and Counselling. Subsequently, Ms Davis was promoted to assistant director in charge of Pupil Personnel Services, then she became the newly created senior assistant director with responsibility for all support services. In 1977, she became the first female Director of Education. In 1988, she accepted a contract to co-ordinate the introduction of the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE), and five years later retired from the public service.

Then a year later she was awarded the honour of Officer of the British Empire in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour Awards.

Ms Davis has been a very active member of St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. For many years, she taught young members under the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine programme.

She has also been a long-time member of the Legion of Mary, a group who visit the sick and shut-ins regularly.