Dame Nita Barrow was a strong force and a life-long champion of justice, community service and human rights. A former Governor General of Barbados, her illustrious career included presidencies in several international organizations and numerous honors and awards for her lifelong commitment.

This book examines how this extraordinary Caribbean woman developed her leadership strategies to contribute to social change and shape development policy on national, regional, and international levels. More than a celebration of her achievements, it analyzes Barrow's career as a case study of leadership by black "Third World" women during the turbulence of the 1930s. The essays examine different aspects of Barrow's career, placing them in historical and social context. Topics include foreign policy, women's leadership, citizen and state, diplomacy, health and nursing, education, and the environment.