Cynthia A. Pratt

Dame Cynthia Alexandria "Mother" Pratt (born 5 November 1945) is a Bahamian politician who has served as the 12th governor-general of the Bahamas since 2023.

Early life and education

Cynthia Pratt was born on 5 November 1945 to Herman and Rose Moxey and received her early education at the Woodcock Primary School, the Western Junior and Senior Schools, A.F. Adderley and C.H. Reeves Schools. Pratt entered Princess Margaret Hospital Nursing School and graduated in 1963 as a trained nurse, where she spent fourteen years in the operating theatre. In 1978, Pratt was transferred to C.C. Sweeting Secondary School where she taught Physical Education, before leaving to study abroad in 1980.

In 2002, following the victory of the Progressive Liberal Party in the national elections, Pratt became the first female Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, a role she served till 2007. She served as acting Prime Minister in 2005 when PM Perry Christie suffered a stroke.

Pratt was also the first woman to serve as the Minister of National Security.

Governor-General

Pratt served as the deputy to the Governor-General of the Bahamas on several occasions.

In August 2023, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that he had recommended to King Charles III that Pratt be appointed as the next Governor-General of the Bahamas. In her inaugural address as governor-general, Pratt said, "As a mother my eyes and ears are always open to the needs of our young people and the importance of doing all we can to uplift them so that as they grow into adulthood and inherit full responsibility for the continued development of our nation".

Personal life

Pratt was married to Joseph B. Pratt until his death. They had six children (including a deceased adopted son).

On 10 November 2017, Pratt launched her biography, An Ordinary Woman from the Heart of the Inner City, published by Scholar Books. Publisher Albert Cox reported at the launch that 35,000 copies had been sold already. Vernon Lynch, brother of actor Eddie Murphy, said he would make Pratt's book into a movie.

Pratt is an ordained Minister of the Gospel. In the 2023 Independence Honours, Pratt was appointed as a Companion of the Order of the Bahamas (CB).

Upon taking office as governor-general, Pratt was conferred with the Order of the Nation (ON), and was sworn in as chancellor of the National Honours Society of The Bahamas.

She was appointed Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in February 2024.