It was with deep sadness that the University of the West Indies community learned of the passing of Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Lucille Mathurin-Mair.  Beginning with her tenure as the first Warden of Mary Seacole Hall between 1957 and 1974, and throughout her academic career, she has had a significant influence on the lives of many West Indian women. She also became the first woman to hold the title of Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and earlier served as Secretary-General of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women and as Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Her contribution to the emergence of Gender and Development as a discrete discipline in the region was highlighted when she agreed to share her wealth of experience with this university as Consultant Regional Coordinator for Women and Development Studies between 1985 and 1989, thereby laying the groundwork for subsequent progress in this area. The gender and development movement that she helped to build and nurture, lives on in the work of scholars such as Elsa Leo-Rhynie, Barbara Bailey, Rhoda Reddock, Eudine Barriteau, Barry Chevannes, Hilary Beckles and many others. 

She was the epitome of human decency, kindness and charm. The quality and style of her wardenship at Mary Seacole Hall could be seen in every aspect of life in the hall from the fine paintings which graced the walls to the cultural and literary events which took place there. She also shared her artistic ability with the UWI and her artwork continues to live on the walls of Mary Seacole Hall. 

The UWI has benefited from her historical scholarship, as has Jamaica through her work on national heroine Nanny, and the region and the rest of the world through her work in gender and development.  This dedicated service to the UWI, Jamaica and the Caribbean both at home and at the international level, has distinguished her in no small measure as her national and regional honours will attest. 

In honour of Dr. Mathurin-Mair, the University of the West Indies will open a Book of Condolence from Monday, February 2 to Friday 6, 2009.  The Book will be open for signing from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day and will be located outside the Council Room on the Mona Campus.