Her Excellency Dame Cécile Ellen Fleurette La Grenade, GCMG, OBE, PhD, DSc
Governor-General of Grenada

Dame Cécile Ellen Fleurette La Grenade, GCMG, OBE, (born 30 December 1952) is a Grenadian food scientist, who serves as Governor-General of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Dr. Cécile La Grenade was sworn-in as Governor-General of Grenada on 7 May 2013 as the nation's first female Governor-General.

Early life and education

Cécile La Grenade is the third of five daughters born to educators and public servants, Allan A. La Grenade MBE and his wife, Sibyl Sylvester-La Grenade, BSc., R.N. Her maternal grandmother, Mary Louise "Eva" Ollivierre-Sylvester, was the first woman in the British Windward Islands ever to serve on the Legislative Council of her country, after being the first female to be elected to the position in 1952, less than 1 year after she obtained universal women's suffrage.

Dame Cécile was born in La Borie, Grenada, but lived for most of her life in St. Paul’s. She attended the St. Louis Girls R.C. School, and then St. Joseph’s Convent in St. George’s. She holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from The University of the West Indies, as well as a master's degree and doctorate in Food Science from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Career

La Grenade is a US trained food scientist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from The University of the West Indies, as well as a master’s degree and doctorate in Food Science from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Her appointment as Governor-General was announced during the same week as the death of Grenada's first female Governor, Dame Hilda Bynoe. Interestingly, Bynoe was also the God-daughter of Dame Cécile La Grenade's maternal grandfather, Dr. Cyril I. St. Bernard Sylvester, who was himself a distinguished educator and lifelong public servant.

Honours and awards

Dr. Cecile La Grenade was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 May 2013.

Dame Cecile was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) by the University of the West Indies on 18 October 2014.