Norma Edwards
OBE
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
is a
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; ), commonly referred to as The Falklands, is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and from Cape Dub ...
politician. She served for two decades on the
Falkland Islands Legislative Council and has been described as a "noted hard-liner" in opposition to Argentine control of the islands.
Edwards is a native
Falkland Islander
Falkland may refer to:
* Falkland, British Columbia, a community in Canada
* Falkland, Nova Scotia, a community in Canada
* Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the south Atlantic Ocean
** Falklands Crisis of 1770
** Falklands War of 1982
* Falkl ...
, the fourth generation born on the islands.
She pursued her early schooling there before leaving for the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, where she trained as a nurse.
She lived for a time in
Portsmouth
Portsmouth ( ) is a port city status in the United Kingdom, city and unitary authority in Hampshire, England. Most of Portsmouth is located on Portsea Island, off the south coast of England in the Solent, making Portsmouth the only city in En ...
,
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, where her daughters Emma and Rebecca were born, before returning to the Falklands with her family after the
1982 war.
She was first elected to the Falkland Islands Legislative Council to represent
Stanley
Stanley may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
Film and television
* ''Stanley'' (1972 film), an American horror film
* ''Stanley'' (1984 film), an Australian comedy
* ''Stanley'' (1999 film), an animated short
* ''Stanley'' (1956 TV series) ...
in
1985
The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
** The Internet's Domain Name System is created.
** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a n ...
, the first election after the islands'
1985 constitution came into force. She resigned from that post in 1987, and in 1989 she returned to the council as a representative of the
Camp constituency, a position she held until her retirement in 2005.
Edwards has advocated in favor of the
Falkland Islands' right to self-determination, in opposition to
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
's claim to the islands.
She was a fierce opponent of the 1999 Anglo-Argentine joint agreement
and offered testimony to the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
in favor of the British side of the dispute.
Her husband,
Roger Edwards, whom she married in 1970,
is a current member of the
Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly. The couple has lived on and run a farm on
West Falkland
West Falkland () is the second largest of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. It is a hilly island, separated from East Falkland by the Falkland Sound. Its area is , 37% of the total area of the islands. Its coastline is long.
Popula ...
since 1986. Her daughter
Emma Edwards
Emma Jane Edwards (born 26 September 1971) is a British born, Falkland Islands teacher and politician, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the Stanley constituency from her election in 2009 until she resigned in 2011. She is t ...
also served on the Legislative Assembly from 2009 until 2011. Her younger daughter, Rebecca, is the first-ever female
physician
A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...
from the Falklands.
Edwards was awarded the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
in the
2006 Birthday Honours
The Birthday Honours 2006 for the Commonwealth realms were announced on 17 June 2006, to celebrate the Queen's Birthday of 2006.Saint Lucia list: Antigua & Barbuda list:
The recipients of honours are displayed here as they were styled before t ...
for "services to the community."
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Norma
Living people
Falkland Islands women in politics
Falkland Islands Councillors 1989–1993
Falkland Islands Councillors 1993–1997
Falkland Islands Councillors 1997–2001
Falkland Islands Councillors 2001–2005
Year of birth missing (living people)
Officers_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire