Lisa Shoman

Lisa Shoman (born 1964) is a Belizean lawyer and politician and the Foreign Minister of Belize from 2007 to 2008. She was previously the Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organisation of American States and served concurrently as Ambassador to the United States from 24 August 2000 until 5 June 2007, when she was appointed Foreign Minister. She was the first woman Ambassador of Belize to the United States. At the same time she was made a member of the Senate of Belize on the recommendation of Prime Minister Said Musa.

Legal career

Shoman completed her primary and secondary education in her native Belize, followed by legal studies at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) and the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica. She was called to the bar in October 1988, and appointed Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (July 1988), serving for over a year before entering private practice. She was elected the first female president of the Bar Association of Belize in 1996. While in her mid-30’s, Shoman was appointed to Chair the Board of Directors of Belize Telecommunications Limited (1998–2000).

In December 2009, she was elevated to the rank of Senior Counsel by the Chief Justice of Belize, Dr Abdulai Conteh.

Diplomacy and Ambassadorship

Her first national appointment came in 2000 when she became Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States on August 25, 2000, and she served concurrently as High Commissioner of Belize to Canada until 2003. She was also appointed Belize’s Ambassador to the United States in August 2000. During her tenure, Shoman served as Vice-Chair of the Permanent Council of the OAS.

Appointment to the Senate & Foreign Ministry

In June 2007, then Prime Minister Said Musa appointed her to the Senate, and made her the country’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade. Shoman held this position until Musa’s party, the People's United Party, ceded power in 2008, when she returned to private practice.

Shoman has remained an active advocate, heading the legal team challenging controversial Constitutional changes proposed by the ruling United Democratic Party. When Prime Minister Dean Barrow alleged that his predecessor, Said Musa had secretly diverted public funds and charged him with theft, Shoman was on the legal team that ensured Musa’s acquittal.

Second Appointment to the Senate

Leader of the Opposition Johnny Briceño appointed Shoman as a senator for a second time in 2009.

Awards

Condecoration – The United Mexican States (Mexico): Orden del Águila Azteca The Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle in the Grade of Band, June 16, 2005

Condecoration – The Republic of Nicaragua: The Order of Jose de Marcoleta in the Grade of Grand Cross, November 30, 2005

Family

Shoman is the eldest of three daughters born to Commercial Pilot/Businessman Yasin Shoman and Hilda Shoman (née Hoy). In 2009, she married Caribbean writer Joey Clarke.

References

• A Tribute to Lisa Shoman on her appointment to Foreign Minister of Belize
• [1]
• [2]

• Decoration of the Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle