M.P. FOR ST. JOHN CONSTITUENCY

Behind every great man there’s a great woman. This was certainly the case in the Thompson family. Marie-Josephine Mara Thompson was renowned for standing by her husband’s side in good times and bad times, in defeat and victory. Then when the late Prime Minister, Hon. David John Howard Thompson took ill in 2010 Mara was called upon to publicly show her mettle. Throughout the ordeal she proved to be a pillar of strength to their children, members of their respective families, as well as the countless numbers of Barbadians who admired and loved the Prime Minister. She gracefully dealt with all the relevant matters and in the process assured and inspired a grieving nation.

This strong, competent, yet gentle, caring and compassionate lady has shown a steely resolve to complete the job in hand. Since her husband’s electoral victory in St. John in 1987, the people of that constituency had become her extended family. So when she was called upon to represent them in 2011 she readily accepted and rose to the challenge.

Hon. Mara Thompson is the latest recruit to a new team of Democratic Labour Party leaders, poised to fulfil the Independence mission, which was clearly articulated nearly 50 years ago. Armed with a first degree in Physical Education from the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Masters Degree from Howard University she chose a career in teaching Physical Education in schools throughout the Caribbean and the USA. She later undertook paralegal studies and worked in her husband’s law firm. When Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases reached epidemic proportions in the Caribbean, she began to spearhead the healthy lifestyle campaign in Barbados and throughout the region. Following the CARICOM Heads of Government Declaration against CNCD’s in Port-of-Spain in September 2007, she has become even more committed to advocating physical exercise as means of improving the health of our nations.

At the constituency level she has continued the process of bringing benefits to the long-neglected parish of St. John. On her watch the St. John Post Office is being refurbished; and the St. John Polyclinic, with the much needed community facilities, will be completed by early 2013. In addition to this, an increasing number of community programmes for the youth and the elderly have been established. In the area of road works, Haynes Hill is undergoing an upgrade while Clifton Hall was completely resurfaced. In terms of housing, residents will soon be able to choose from 72 house spots going at $5.00 a square foot in several districts.

Mara Thompson is one of a long list of DLP Parliamentarians who demonstrate how to stay connected with constituents despite domestic, national and regional obligations. She needs your on-going support to complete her work in St. John and in Barbados as a whole.

Contact the Candidate
Constituency Office (246) 433-0903