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Cynthia Barker, first Filipina mayor in England, passes away
Cynthia Barker, the first Filipina mayor in England, has passed away, according to GMA Pinoy TV.
The mayor's death was confirmed by her sibling, GMA Pinoy TV said.
Barker became the mayor of Hertsmere, Hertfordshire in England last June.
LOOK: Councillor Cynthia Barker is the first Filipino to get elected & sworn in as Mayor of Hertsmere, local government district & borough in Hertfordshire, England. Here’s Barker delivering her first online speech as Mayor (Via P.E. London & Hertsmere Public TV) @gmanews pic.twitter.com/qNFgTMklld
— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) June 26, 2020
According to a post on the website of the Hertsmere local government, Barker lived in the area for 29 years.
Before she became mayor, Barker served as town councilor of Elstree and Borehamwood and borough councilor of Potters Bar.
The local government of Hertsmere expressed sadness at Barker's passing.
"We are deeply saddened by the news that our Mayor, Cllr Cynthia Barker, has died following a period of illness," it said in a Facebook post on Sept. 14.
We are deeply saddened by the news that our Mayor, Cllr Cynthia Barker, has died following a period of illness. Our...
Posted by Hertsmere on Monday, September 14, 2020
Tributes for Barker poured on Hertsmere's website.
"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely sad and difficult time, and we send them our sincerest condolences. The council's flag flies at half-mast outside civic offices as a mark of respect," the local government said.
Herstmere said Barker served as deputy mayor in 2019 prior to her being appointed mayor this year.
"She was the first Philippines-born elected representative in the borough, extremely proud of her heritage and committed to doing her utmost to champion equality and diversity for all our communities in Hertsmere. She was also chosen as one of the 100 most influential Filipinas by the Filipina Women’s Network," the local government added.
Fellow local government officials described Barker as kind, wonderful, hardworking, approachable and always wanting to help. She was also cited as "a trailblazer and role model for women and minorities in local government." —KG, GMA News
