Belinda Bidwell

Belinda Bidwell (22 April 1936–April 28 2007) was the first female Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia. In 2002, Bidwell, who was previously a teacher, was nominated to serve in the National Assembly, and she became deputy speaker. [http://apanews.net/article_eng.php3?id_article=32700 "Gambia’s first female speaker laid to rest"] , African Press Agency, May 5, 2007.] In April 2006, following an attempted coup d'etat in March, Speaker Sheriff Mustapha Dibba was arrested and removed from his position for alleged involvement, and Bidwell became speaker. [ [http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=434077 "Gambian parliament gets new speaker"] , AngolaPress, April 20, 2006.] Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay replaced Bidwell as speaker in February 2007, [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200702051479.html "Gambia: Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay is New Speaker of National Assembly"] , "Progressive Africans" (allafrica.com), February 5, 2007.] [Alhagie Jobe, [http://allafrica.com/stories/200702090791.html "Gambia: 53 NAMs Sworn-in"] , "The Daily Observer" (allafrica.com), February 9, 2007.] and Bidwell died of a heart attack in April.

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