Hilda Bynoe facts for kids

Dame Hilda Louisa Bynoe (born Gibbs; November 18, 1921 – April 6, 2013) was a very important person in the history of Grenada. She was the Governor of Grenada from 1967 to 1972.

Dame Hilda was a doctor and also managed hospitals. She was the first woman ever to be a Governor in a country that was part of the Commonwealth of Nations. This group includes many countries that used to be connected to the British Empire. She was the first woman Governor of Grenada, which also includes the islands of Cariacou and Petit Martinique. She spent most of her life working as a teacher and a doctor in Trinidad and Tobago.

Early Life and Education

Hilda Bynoe was born in a place called Crochu in Grenada, which is in the West Indies. She went to school in her village. Her father, Thomas Joseph Gibbs, was the headmaster there. Her mother, sister, and aunts had also been teachers at the same school.

Later, she went to St. Joseph's Convent. This was the only Catholic high school for girls on the island. For a few years, she worked as a teacher at the Convent of St. Joseph in San Fernando, Trinidad. She also taught at Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain, Trinidad, where she studied science.

In 1944, Hilda Bynoe traveled to Europe. She wanted to study medicine. She graduated in 1951 from the University of London's Royal Free Hospital. This hospital was also known as the London School of Medicine for Women.

Becoming Governor

In June 1968, Hilda Bynoe was chosen to be the Governor of Grenada. This was a huge moment! She was the first woman to hold this important job in any country of the British Commonwealth. She was also the first person born in Grenada to become its Governor.

In 1969, Queen Elizabeth II gave her a special honor. Hilda Bynoe was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. This is a very high award.

In January 1974, some people protested and asked for her to resign. Dame Hilda spoke on the radio, asking for public support. However, the Prime Minister, Eric Gairy, asked the Queen to remove her from her position. The Queen agreed to this request.

Personal Life

Hilda Bynoe met and married Peter Cecil Alexander Bynoe. He was from Trinidad and was an officer in the RAF (Royal Air Force). They had two sons named Roland and Michael.

The Bynoe family moved back to the West Indies in 1953. Hilda Bynoe worked in Guyana and Trinidad for the next fifteen years.

In 1990, she retired from her medical work. She wanted to focus on writing. She also helped take care of her granddaughters, Olukemi and Nandi. Even in retirement, she continued to support several organizations. These included the Caribbean College of Family Physicians and the Caribbean Women’s Association.

Dame Hilda Bynoe passed away in Trinidad. She was 91 years old.