Minister Liburd issued a congratulatory message to Mrs. Thompson in which she praised her for accepting the call to leadership.

Thompson lost her husband in October of 2010 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Months after, she received the “go ahead” from the Democratic Labour Party to contest the by-elections which were held to fill the seat left vacant by her husband’s death (the St. Johns Constituency).

Mrs. Thompson not only emerged from the elections victorious – amassing majority of the votes – but she is said to have outperformed her husband by capturing almost 90 percent of the 5166 votes cast. MiyVue.com understands that in 2008, her husband won 4300 votes in the general elections.

“Three cheers for Mrs. Mara Thompson the recently elected Parliamentary Representative for St. Johns, Barbados.  A strong woman, she is like a phoenix rising from the ashes. With strength and resilience, Mrs. Thompson boldly accepted the challenge of continuing her late husband’s legacy of dynamic leadership for the people in St. Johns. She is an inspiration to us. She joins the rank of the growing number female parliamentarians throughout the region who continue to demonstrate that women bring something energizing to the table and are as capable as their male counterparts,” as penned by Marcella Liburd, Minister of Health, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

She further offered words of congratulation and pronounced upon Mrs. Thompson, success.

“On behalf of myself and the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs in St. Kitts I extend heartiest congratulations Mrs. Thompson and wish her every success.”