Dorothea Butterfield 1933-2024

Every now and again one is faced with the most surprising and interesting history of a Bermudian of colour(Black Bermudian) born Gwyneth Dorothea Lucille Brown was one of five children of Walton St. George Brown and Pearl Bean Brown. Dorothea lost her Mom at an early age and she was cared for by an Aunt.

Her early education was at Central School in Pembroke. She was a part of what most North Villagers refer to when one attended Central School a proud Pond Dog. Dorothea then went on to attend West End School in Somerset. She was good in her studies and could have made it into any high school, but like most parents hers did not have the funds to send their children to get a higher education such was the case with Dorothea so she had to leave school and go to work like most of her piers.

Gwyneth Dorothea Lucille Butterfield (Brown)

Her first job was with Lespere’s Tailoring. Mr. Lespere himself was a top notch tailor and well known in the North Village neighbourhood. His Shop was located in the previous Washington Lane now known as Washington Mall and he offered excellent top level work. Dorothea mastered her craft and soon went to work in a fabric store at the House of Hamilton Business owned by Cora and Jack Hamilton. She left the House of Hamilton in 1957 and joined the Bermuda Post Office Bank. She married Ashton Butterfield and had a son. She was determined to make a better life for her self. She eventually went on to apply for a front desk job at the Bank of Bermuda.

The appointment made she was on her way to the bank arriving she met the manager in charge and immediately up popped the red flag or should I record black flag of racism. She was told “We haven’t space in the bank’s front line tellers to take you on.” Dorothea responded “Well I’m not at all surprised, but you advertised the bank as Bermuda for Bermudian, and I thought I would take up the challenge.’

Something must have pricked the consciences of the executive for less than a month later, the bank manager called for her and offered her the job, she faced another obstacle as she was at that time still a government employee and as such was required to give a months notice, not wanting to lose her Mr., Trimmingham negotiated an early release for her from the Post Office and thus began a new chapter in her life. She rose from teller to Supervisor of the Savings Department in just a few years. She became the first black woman to hold that position in any of the Banks in Bermuda, and had nine staff under her charge. Ms. Butterfield became a banking officer in 1978 and over the years, though a succession of evening courses, she more than made up for missing years in her education at the Sixth Form Centre which is now Bermuda College.

She attained a Diploma in Banking and was chosen to become a Justice of the Peace, and Supervised Polling Stations from 1970-1990’s. Dorothea oversaw lots of changes one being the Company’s Primary in the successful conversion of the Savings Department from manual to Computer operations. She was amidst the beneficiary of a new hotly debated bank policy in which mandatory retirement age for women was raised from 60-65 in line with the men. While doing working tours for various departments she travelled and became friends to several in various countries, such as Greece, Cyprus, Britain, the countries she visited was extensive including many in Africa and all over the Caribbean, Hong Kong, Germany and the Holy Land. She participated in the opening of the Berlin Wall helping to demolish it.

Over years of her life she was active in several charities. She was the first person of colour to be the Treasurer at the Meals on Wheels and the Garden Club, she was a life member of the Diabetic Association , Sandy’s boat Club, St. John’s Ambulance, and the Young at Heart Seniors Club.

She had no qualms in making donations to help worthy institutions two such past recipients was the St. Michaels Chapel and the St. James Anglican Church Rectory. Dorothea was associated with the international Federation of Business and Professional women serving on the executive team. She was described as a pacesetter and that she was.

We cherish the legacy she has left for us this woman of colour may the generations to come follow her lead and carry the legacy on through eternity. We thank you Dorothea for giving us an additional sense of pride. Dorothea left us on March 14th. 2024 may she rest in eternal peace.

Research Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian