Background
Barrow, Dame Ruth Nita was born on November 15, 1916 in St. Lucy, Barbados. Daughter of Reginald Grant and Ruth Alberta (O'Neal) Barrow.
Barrow, Dame Ruth Nita was born on November 15, 1916 in St. Lucy, Barbados. Daughter of Reginald Grant and Ruth Alberta (O'Neal) Barrow.
Registered Nurse, Barbados General Hospital, 1940. Registered Nurse, Port-of-Spain Hospital. Diploma in nursing education, University Toronto, 1943.
Diploma in public health, University Toronto, 1945. Diploma, Edinburgh University, 1951. Bachelor of Science, Columbia University.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), University West Indies. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Toronto. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Mantobia.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Spellman College. Doctor of Laws (honorary), York University. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Smith College.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Queen's University of Canada. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Adelphi University, 1994. Doctor of Science (honorary), Macmaster University.
DHun (honorary), Morris Brown University. HHD, Mount St. Vincent. Doctor of Letters, Wilfrid Laurier University, 1994.
Member various staff, teaching and administrative posts in nursing public health, Barbados and Jamaica, 1940-1956. Principal nursing officer Jamaica, 1956-1962. Nursing advisor Pan American Health Organization, 1967-1971.
Associate director Christian Medical Commission World Council Churches, Geneva, 1971-1975, director, 1975-1980. Health consultant World Health Organization, 1981-1986. Ambassador to United Nations, 1986-1990.
Governor-general Barbados, from 1990. Convenor Eminent Persons Group 1st United Nations Global Conference on Sustainabe Development of Small Island Developing States, 1994.
Member executive committee World of Young Women’s Christian Association, 1955-1967, vice president, 1963-1967, president, 1975-1983. President Quadrennial Council, 1975-1979, 83, International Council for Adult Education, 1982-1990, WCC, 1983-1991. Participant numerous international conferences on population, health and women.
Chairman health section Forum '80, Copenhagen. Convenor United Nations Forum, Nairobi, Kenya, 1985, Eminent Persons Group, 1st United Nations Global Conference Sustainable Development Small Island Developing States, 1994. Member Commonwealth Group Eminent Persons on S.A., 1986.
Director Global Fund for Women, United States of America, since 1986, Los Angeles chapter. Board directors Foundation for International Training Canada, 1986-1990. Member International Advisory Synergos Institute, United States of America, 1987-1988, 89-90.
Member Jury Liberty Medal, 1988-1990, steering committee on leadership and development Rockefeller Foundation International, 1992. Fellow Royal College Nursing (London). Member Jamaica Nurses Association (founder, president), International Peace Academy (board director 1986-1990).