Jamaica’s democratic institutions have lost a foundational figure with the passing of Dorothy Pine-McLarty, the former Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) chairperson. Her death was confirmed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness through an official social media announcement on Sunday, though specific details regarding the cause remain undisclosed at this time.
Pine-McLarty’s legacy is marked by extraordinary professional achievements and dedicated public service. In 1973, she shattered glass ceilings by becoming the first female partner at the prestigious law firm Myers, Fletcher & Gordon—a significant milestone in Jamaican legal history. Her expertise later propelled her to establish the firm’s London office as its inaugural managing partner.
Her most impactful contributions emerged through her nineteen-year tenure with Jamaica’s electoral governance bodies. Initially joining the Electoral Advisory Committee as a selected commissioner in December 2000, she ascended to the chairmanship in 2013. Pine-McLarty presided over the ECJ with renowned integrity until her retirement in December 2019, cementing her status as the first woman to lead the commission.
Beyond her electoral work, she contributed to corporate governance through directorship roles on multiple boards. Prime Minister Holness memorialized her as ‘a public servant in the truest sense’ whose life’s work strengthened Jamaican democracy through courageous and graceful service. The nation now reflects on her pioneering journey from legal trailblazer to guardian of electoral integrity, while official condolences extend to her family, colleagues, and all Jamaicans touched by her remarkable legacy.