Chief Education Officer, Karen Best, the longest serving president of the BUT, cuts the ribbon to officially open Karen Best Drive. Looking on are Richmark Cave, left, Vice-President of BUT and President Pedro Shepherd, right.
The longest serving president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has been recognised for the contribution she has made to that entity.
Yesterday, accolades were heaped on former principal now Chief Education Officer, Karen Best, who was honoured when the BUT named one of the roads in its Hothersal Development, Academia Estates, after her. The Karen Best Drive is a fitting tribute to Best, who has spent more than 40 years in the field of education, as a teacher, principal and administrator.
During the ceremony which brought together past and present members of the Union’s executive, President Pedro Shepherd explained that it was Best’s idea to develop the 12.5 acres of land, providing townhouses, an auditorium, a medical complex, a day care facility and a senior citizens village of sorts for retired teachers who live alone. As such, he suggested it was fitting that her name be featured within the area.
“I had said to my General Secretary that before I leave this Union I’m going to have your name etched in its lifelong history, by naming this road, which might be the final one, in your name. For you are the longest serving female president and the one with the vision and foresight to utilise this asset. You were the one who got into the excavator and turned the soil to start this project and I could not leave the BUT without recognising your tremendous contribution to this Union and to my trade union life,” said Shepherd, who served as Best’s Deputy President throughout her tenure.
Meanwhile, an appreciative Best, thanking the BUT for the recognition bestowed on her, said when she joined the Union, she set out to dispel the notion that there were no women leaders in Barbados. Noting that her time with the Union was a labour of love, the former president said her primary goal while at its helm was to ensure that the rights of teachers were upheld and defended, and that the teachers were growing professionally.
“I recognised the power which the union had for impacting on the plight of teachers… It was this selfless attitude of service which inspired me to accept the nomination for a post on the executive and later the election to the post of president of the Barbados Union of Teachers,” she added.
Best also spoke of the challenges, financial and otherwise, that the Union encountered as it tried to get the development started, and while pleased to see how far it has come, she said it is her hope that the commercial aspect also comes to fruition soon. The veteran educator, while thanking the BUT for the honour, said her only regret is that her late mother who passed away last year, was not there to be a part of the occasion. (JRT)