Dear Editor,
The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL) joins with the family, friends, colleagues and associates of the late Deborah Backer in mourning her passing.
The GAWL became a reality in April of 1987 after discussions between Mrs Backer and Justice Desiree Bernard about forming an association for professional women. Justice Bernard had knowledge of the International Federation of Women Lawyers being a member thereof and suggested that they should form one in Guyana.
Mrs Backer agreed, and she and Justice Bernard made contact with other dynamic female lawyers of that time including Ms Sheila Chapman, Justice Claudette La Bennett, the late Mrs Pearlene Roach, Ms Elvy O Edwards and Ms Carole James-Boston. The association was soon born and Mrs Backer served as the first Secretary for two years.
Members of the association worked tirelessly from the inception in educating not only women, but citizens on the whole, about their rights under the law. Radio programmes were conducted from the year 1991 to inform citizens on some aspects of the law such as making a will and executing deed polls. These radio programmes were aired on a weekly basis, and were well received by the public. Later, different aspects of the law were available in booklet form.
After demitting office, Mrs Backer actively encouraged women lawyers from each new batch of law graduates to join the association.
In recent years, she was not as actively involved in the association due to the demands of her private practice, her involvement in politics and her other commitments. However, she remained supportive of the association and its members both formally and informally and gave advice on matters from time to time. She never failed to demonstrate a keen interest in the work of the association and the welfare of female attorneys- at-law especially as it related to their practice of the law.
She enthusiastically lent her considerable experience as a practitioner to our in-house training seminars and was constantly assessing the administration of justice in Guyana and making suggestions as to how it could be improved. The association recalls Mrs Backer’s participation in a one-day outreach session for women in Berbice which was conducted at the Mothers’ Union Centre at Alness, Corentyne. This was part of the OAS-sponsored GBA and GAWL local government seminars. She was a resource person as she had served for years in local government. We more recently recall our seminar on the Married Persons Property Act which was held in 2012 and organized upon the suggestion of Mrs Backer who had indicated that from her observations there were inconsistent approaches by the bench and bar which she felt were unsatisfactory. She was of the view that this was one of the reasons for protraction of those matters. Mrs Backer was one of the presenters and facilitators of that seminar.
In addition, because she was of the view that the dispensation of justice should not be protracted Mrs Backer was also a champion of alternative dispute resolution and often mediated matters which were referred by the courts for mediation. She demonstrated excellent mediation skills and was one of the preferred mediators.
She also was a firm believer that persons had a right of access to justice and therefore also dedicated her energies to the provision of legal aid and was one of the founding attorneys-at-law of the Linden Legal Aid Centre.
Debbie Backer was a great colleague at the bar and a friend and mentor to many. She epitomized the virtues which every attorney-at-law should emulate. She was respectful to the court and her colleagues, articulate, assertive, modest, and always well prepared. She represented her clients’ interests vigorously, fierce whenever necessary and always fearless. She was one of the few female attorneys who, not only ventured into the field of criminal practice, but excelled therein earning the respect of the courts, her male and female colleagues and her clients.
Her forthrightness, wit and ever present smile and laughter especially during Chamber and Bail Court will be missed.
GAWL’s motto is ‘Women Supporting Justice and Equality’ and Debbie Backer’s life was a reflection of this. Mrs Backer was renowned for her principled stand on equality for women as well as her advocacy for respect for the rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups. She served humanity selflessly and with distinction as an attorney, Lion, politician, colleague, mentor and friend. She has departed this life but as Pine stated “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
Mrs Backer’s passing leaves the legal profession and indeed the country as a whole much poorer but we, the women lawyers, will strive to ensure that the legacy of this multitalented and gifted daughter of the soil lives on. The GAWL extends sincere condolences to her husband Steve, children Nigel, fellow attorney-at-law, Natasha, and other relatives and friends. Justice Desiree P Bernard, GAWL’s Founding President, also joins in expressing deep sorrow at Mrs Backer’s passing and extends her sincere condolences to the family. She urges that they be consoled in the fact that Debbie, as we fondly called her, contributed in no small measure to the development of our dear country in all the spheres of life in which she was involved.
Let us all thank God that such a woman lived. The song has ended but the melody lives on.
May her soul rest in peace.
Yours faithfully,
Romona Rookhum
Secretary
Guyana Association of Women
Lawyers
