Gladys Sarita Bernard

Mrs. Gladys Sarita Bernard was born on March 19, 1955, in Belize City, Belize. She is a graduate of St. Catherine’s Academy in Belize City.

Mrs. Bernard began her career with the Government of Belize in 1975 as a typist. Through dedication, hard work, and commitment to the Belize Public Service, she steadily advanced in her career and eventually rose to the rank of Senior Secretary.

During her years in the Belize Public Service, Mrs. Bernard served in several Ministries and Departments, gaining extensive experience and making valuable contributions to the Government and people of Belize. Her professional journey included service in the following:

The Establishment Department, now known as the Ministry of the Public Service.
The Belize Police Department, where she worked alongside the then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Willoughby, and later with the Heads of the Special Branch, Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Flores.
The Belize Postal Service, where she provided secretarial support to the Postmaster General.
The Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry of Social Services.
The Planning Unit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which she joined in 1982 and which is presently known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

During her decades of service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bernard served as an Executive Personal Assistant to a succession of Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and Chief Executive Officers involved in the management of Belize’s regional and international relations.

Her responsibilities have included the preparation of credentials and diplomatic notes for public officers attending international training programmes, workshops, meetings, and courses. She has also coordinated requests for diplomatic and official passports with the Ministry responsible for Immigration.

Mrs. Bernard has been responsible for drafting Administration-in-Confidence documents and contracts that guide the terms and conditions of overseas postings for Heads of Missions and Foreign Service Officers assigned to Belize’s Embassies, Missions, and Consulates.

Another important aspect of her duties has been the authorization and certification of various official documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, diplomatic notes, legitimate legal documents, police records, school certificates and diplomas, and health documents.

Mrs. Bernard is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award, in recognition of her dedicated and distinguished contribution to the Belize Public Service. She is also an Honourable Senior Justice of the Peace, a distinction that reflects the trust and confidence placed in her by her country and community.

On the personal side, Mrs. Bernard was married to the late Patrick Alexander Bernard, OBE. Their union was blessed with four sons: Renan Bernard, Denzil Bernard, Risden Bernard (deceased), and Warren Bernard. She is also blessed with three daughters-in-law and five adorable grandsons.

Mrs. Gladys Sarita Bernard’s remarkable career is a testament to decades of dedicated and faithful service to the Government and people of Belize. From beginning her journey as a typist in 1975 to serving for decades within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has demonstrated professionalism, perseverance, commitment, and excellence.

Her years of service have left a meaningful legacy in the Belize Public Service, and her contribution to the nation will remain a source of pride for her family, colleagues, and the people she has had the privilege to serve.