The following is a biographical profile on community activist, Dorothy Mae Theresita Bradley (1927-2010):
- Dorothy Mae Theresita was born on April 27, 1927 at Burrell Boom to parents Mr. Charles and Ms. Eunice Gillet.
- At age 7, she went to live in Belize City in order to pursue studies at Holy Redeemer School.
- Upon returning to Burrell Boom at the age of 15, she saw the need among her community to improve medical-care for women and volunteered her services.
- At age 18, she had her first child, Alfonso ‘Bobby’ Bradley and on August 15, 1948 she married Gregory Oscar Bradley.
- Her first major service to the community was noted in 1955 during which she spearheaded a petition that led to the distribution of food to several Belize River valley communities that were affected by Hurricane Janet.
- In 1957, she received training as a midwife with UNICEF, after which she served in Burrell Boom as a qualified Rural Health Nurse. She served many communities including Benque Viejo del Carmen, Seine Beight, Mango Creek, Maskall and others.
- In 1986, Bishop Osmond Peter Martin honored her with a certificate which recognized her work as a Lay Minister.
- On August 18, 1992 she was made Justice of the Peace.
- Despite formally retiring from the medical health service in 1994, Nurse Bradley’s devotion to God and her community propelled her to continue serving her community as a midwife.
- In 2005, she was recognized for her contributions as the First Honorary Commissioner for the Millennium Development Goals.
- She was widely recognized for her bravery and dedication to the communities she served, especially by women.
- Nurse Bradley was known for her commitment and devotion to her faith in God which was the source of her life long service to society.
- Nurse Bradley passed away in her humble home in Burrell Boom on September 4, 2010.
Images courtesy: National Heritage Library & Belize Archives and Records Service
How to cite: ISCR/NICH. Dorothy MaenTheresita Bradley (1927-2010).” Belize’s Heroes, Patriots & Benefactors Exhibit. Retrieved from: [Insert BHA Website URL]
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