Black Star Inspiration: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley

Bohten's lineage can be traced back to a long and storied history of black cultural innovators. Each week, we celebrate the style inspiration of legendary icons who flawlessly express their flair through lenses.

For this month’s Black Star Inspiration we are pleased to feature a dynamic, trailblazing leader who is unapologetically kicking down doors with many firsts in her nation. Hailing from a small island in the Caribbean, her eloquence, fierceness, game changing policies and tenacity to bridge the gap of two regions has led her to become a well known name on the international stage. We introduce to you Mia Mottley, the first ever female Prime Minister of Barbados.

Many people around the world are familiar with the small 421km2 Caribbean island of Barbados as the birthplace and home of popular music and fashion icon, Rihanna. However, what some persons don’t know is that it is also home to another heavy hitter, but in the political arena, The honorable Mia Mottley. 

According to the Official website of the Barbados Government,The Honorable Mia Mottley is an attorney-at-law with a degree from the London School of Economics, and was elected to the Parliament of Barbados in September 1994 and has been in the Barbados political arena ever since. 

A woman of many 'firsts'

From the beginning, she accomplished a lot of firsts in her nation - Mottley was one of the youngest persons to ever be appointed Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Culture. She became the first female to serve as Attorney General and Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados. Additionally, “In 2002, she became a member of the Local Privy Council. She was also admitted to the Inner Bar, becoming the youngest ever Queens Counsel in Barbados.”

It takes a spirited, vibrant, forward thinking and determined person to achieve as much as she has, on the level that she has over the period of time she has been in Barbados Parliament. And even with all of these achievements under her belt, it seems she has no intentions to slow down as she continues to champion many important issues for her country, the Caribbean region and the world.

Barbados - A Republic

A move that will make international news in the near future is when Ms. Mottley will guide ‘Little England’ (what Barbados has been informally known as during its colonialist period) into a Republic state. A matter she has pushed for years, the Barbados Government Information services states she intends for November 2021 to be when her government will put the necessary structures in place to transform Barbados from a Commonwealth Country into a Republic - formally and officially removing The Queen of England as the head of state.

Barbados’ present Governor General Sandra Mason stated: “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind...Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” as she delivered a speech on behalf of Prime Minister Mottley.

President of Ghana - Nana Akufo-Addo with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley on her official visit to Ghana

Forging and Building International Partnerships

Mia Mottley has also truly been integral and at the forefront of forging partnerships and bridges between the Caribbean region and the African continent. According to Barbados GIS, at the first ever Africa Caricom Summit, Ms. Mottley called for “at least one weekly direct flight from Africa to the Caribbean”, to ensure African and Caribbean people can build person-to-person and experience each other’s countries first-hand.” She has also pushed for an abolishment of all visa requirements between countries in the two regions and states “ because without the vision that is necessary, without the mental emancipation, the unlocking of that 1.4 billion people will not happen.”

We here at Bohten appreciate Ms. Mottley for her confidence, fearlessness and bold moves that impact and inspire many around the world. 

Another fun fact?

The Prime Minister makes these power moves adorned with her smile and a sense of style and fashion that seemingly feels unique to her. Her outfits embrace the free flowing, light Caribbean dress yet also seems to pay homage to her African ancestry and roots. It’s also important to note that she wears FRAMES! Every single day. Her traditional style of frames have a pop of color (often times red) which adds to any and all outfits she wears on the world stage. Music to our ears!

Prime Minister Mia Mottley seen on the front page of British Vogue

Check Prime Minister Mottley out in her most recent address at the UN’s Climate Change Conference - COP26 World Leader's Summit a few days ago. You can see her addressing world leaders in her red frames!

How do you think Mia Mottley would look in a pair of Bohten Frames? 

Let us know which pair you think may suit her best! 

Who knows, maybe she’ll be spotted in a pair very soon!

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