Mary Rose Tuitt

Mary Rose Tuitt (December 25, 1930 – 2005) was an educator and politician in Montserrat. She was the first woman to serve as a government minister in that country.

The daughter of Edgar Peters and Sarah Ryan (née Dorsett), she was born Mary Rose Peters in Kinsale. She studied at the Erdiston Teachers' Training College in Barbados from 1953 to 1955. She returned to Montserrat and was named head teacher at St. Patrick's school. She studied for an additional year at the University of Oxford Institute of Education. In 1958, she married Adolphus Tuitt. She resigned in 1968 after being passed over for the position of inspector of schools. Tuitt was transferred to the Ministry of Social Services but resigned that position after she realized it was a dead end position. For a short time, she managed a historic hotel on the island.[1]

In 1970, Tuitt ran as a candidate for the Progressive Democratic Party in the Southern district and was elected to the Legislative Council of Montserrat. In 1970, she was named Minister responsible for Education and Health and Welfare. Tuitt was defeated when she ran for reelection in 1978, losing to Joseph Tailor.[1]

After leaving politics, she worked in an administrative position at the American University of the Caribbean.[1]

Tuitt was also an accomplished netball player. She was a member of the national team in 1950. She was captain of the Montserrat team in 1959. In 1963, she was coach and manager for the Montserrat team. She also served as president of the Montserrat Netball Association and the West Imdies Netball Board.[2]