Miss Annie Huldah Bodden:

A Woman of Many Hats

The iconic Annie Huldah Bodden carved new paths and shattered ceilings to achieve an impressive array of Cayman Islands “firsts”, the pinnacle of which was perhaps her appointment in 1961 as the first female Nominated Member of the Legislative Assembly.  Other notable trail-blazing achievements include her appointments as the first female auditor and chief auditor of the Cayman Islands Government and the first female attorney-at-law.  

In recognition of her remarkable life, Ms. Annie was in 1976 made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), becoming the first female Cayman Islands recipient. A lecture series in her name was inaugurated in 2001 and her ground-breaking life of service was commemorated in the Postal Service's "Pioneers" series of stamps.

A passionate parliamentarian and legal practitioner, she was outspoken—a staunch supporter of the government and a fearless advocate for causes, guided always by her conscience.

Above all, she was a visionary, a characteristic she uncannily shared with her biblical namesake “Huldah,” a prophetess in the palace of King Hezekiah, regarded in his day as a very righteous king. 

Topping her career in public and commercial affairs, her range of high-crowned colourful straw hats added distinction and panache as she traversed her illustrious and vibrant life of service, whether in Assembly Chamber, in Court, in her law office, or the streets of George Town.