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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamian Politics
Hon. Melanie Griffin
 The Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin, nee Strachan, was born in Nassau, Bahamas. She received her early education at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and her secondary education at St. Augustine’s College, Fox Hill and the Government High School. At the College of The Bahamas she attained an Associate of Arts degree in Social Science and was a founding member of the College of The Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS). A choir director for many years, Melanie holds a Diploma in Applied Church Music from the Bahamas Baptist Institute. A born again Christian, Mrs. Griffin, is also a founding member of Judaea Baptist Church where she is a licensed Minister, serving in several capacities. In March 1999, Melanie was appointed to the Senate by the Hon. Perry G. Christie, Party Leader, where she served her God and Country with dignity and honour. She was elected the Member of Parliament for Yamacraw on May 2nd, 2002 and appointed Minister of Social Services and Community Development on May 10th, 2002. In addition to carrying out the mandate of the Government, she has been motivated by the Scriptures to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked and visit the sick and imprisoned. An advocate for child and family welfare, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin, has made a major impact on the social landscape of the Country, particularly through the enactment of three major pieces of legislation – The Residential Care Facilities Act 2004, the Child Protection Act, 2007 and the Domestic Violence (Protection Orders) Act, 2007. Mrs. Griffin has also been a champion for the rights of persons with disabilities and has produced a draft Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Bill, 2007 which is expected to be laid in Parliament later this year. Additionally, she was instrumental in the expansion of the Disability Affairs Unit to a Division with its own office and resource centre, as well as the implementation of an allowance for special needs children under the age of 16 years certified disabled. As a member of parliament, Mrs. Griffin has served the community of Yamacraw well. Infrastructural development of roads and parks, the establishment of community associations which foster and promote community spirit and the discipline and development of young people through a community youth and marching band are some of the highlights of her achievements in Yamacraw. She is married to Mr. Leon Griffin and has one daughter, Celine Leonice.
Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin
 Glenys Hanna-Martin was born in Nassau on October 27, 1958 to the Hon. Arthur Dion Hanna and the late Beryl Hanna (nee Church). She received her early education at the St. Anne’s School and Queen’s College in Nassau. Glenys studied at Padworth College, Reading England, York University (BA Specialized Hons), Toronto Canada and the University of Buckingham (LLB, Hons); Inner Temple, England. A former Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Hanna-Martin was called to the Bar of England & Wales and The Bahamas in 1988. She was elected President of the New Providence Women’s Branch of the PLP in 1998. She is the representative for the Englerston constituency and served in the Christie Cabinet as the Minister of Transportation and Aviation. Mrs. Hanna-Martin was the first female Chairman of a major political party in Bahamian history. An Anglican by denomination, she is married to Leon A. Martin and is the mother of three children. Her interests include reading, walking, yoga and poetry.
Mr. Leslie O. Miller
 Making his sixth run as a candidate in the general elections the Honourable Leslie Osbourne Miller, the fourth child of Sybil Lockhart-Miller and the late Leroy Miller was born on March 24, 1948 in Nassau, Bahamas. He received his early education at Palmetto Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he obtained a high school graduate diploma in 1967. He continued his education at the University of Texas at El Paso where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1971. He attended graduate School at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he studied International Marketing graduating in 1972. A businessman by profession, being the CEO, President and Director of Sunburst Paints, Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace & Litec Coatings Limited, he has over thirty years of experience and is the founding President of the Bahamas Light Industries Development Council. Minister Miller has served as Assistant Vice President of Planning with the General Bahamian Companies Limited, Vice President of Planning for A.C. Butler/HBW Finance Limited, Chairman of the New Providence Port Authority from 1987-1989, Chairman of B.E.C. from 1989-1991 and Chairman of Town Planning from 1991-1992. In his desire to contribute to the betterment of human existence, he was a member of the late Prime Minister Pindling's Youth Task Force of Employment. He was also a member of the American Industrial Development Council. An ardent sportsman, a former Olympic and British Commonwealth Games record holder, Miami Herald Track and Field Athlete of the Year, and US All-American Track and Field Captain. Minister Miller was also the Member of Parliament for the Blue Hills Constituency, having been elected on May 2, 2002 and assumed the responsibilities as Minister of Trade and Industry with effect from May 13, 2002. He's also a member of the Brethren Faith, has five children and two grandchildren.
Mrs. Cleola Hamilton
 Mrs. Hamilton was born in Pirates Well Mayaguana and was the sixth of thirteen children born to Joseph Collie (deceased) and Sarah Collie nee Murphy. An accomplished veteran Registered Nurse and trade unionist, Mrs. Hamilton is also an author, having published a book of poetry entitled “Unfolding to the World”. Additionally, she pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in literature and literary Arts, Diploma in Midwifery, Diploma in Human Resource Management, Certificate in Employment Law, Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Masters Degree in Public Administration. She served and is presently serving on numerous Committees, Council and Boards, including the Board of Directors of the Civil Society, National Health and Safety Council, The Blue Ribbon Commission for National Health Insurance, The Nursing Council of the Bahamas for nine years, and the TRIFOR Council. In 1999 she became president of the Bahamas Nurses Union and labored tirelessly to better the working conditions of nurses throughout the country. In 2005 she became Vice president to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Trade Union Congress, and was named one of the most outstanding persons in the Bahamas by Jones Communications in 2007. She is married to Arnold A. Hamilton Sr. and they have three children: Dedrick Nathaniel, Arnold Augustine Jr., and Clachara Telia.
Mr. Dion Smith
 Local attorney Dion Smith was born on the 18th October 1975 and is the youngest of four children born to Duke and Lillian Smith. From the age of five he began singing gospel music and was affectionately known as Little Dynamite Dion Smith. He was given this name by the famous Brother JJ because he thought Dion was a confident and determined young man with a dynamic voice. By the age of ten Dion had performed all over the Bahamas, including a performance on the National Television for the Progressive Liberal Party, and on the National Radio Show the Gospel Hour. Following his graduation from Saint John’s College (high school) in New Providence in 1992, Mr. Smith continued his education at the Bahamas Baptist Community College and the College of the Bahamas before reading law at the University of Liverpool where he obtained his LLB (honors) in 2000. Mr. Smith was called to the English Bar and the Bahamas Bar in 2001 and practices law today at the law chambers of Munroe and Associates. Mr. Smith is married to the former Rose Narine and they have two children, Dion Jr. and Aubrie.
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Nassau, Bahamas - Last evening (21st December 2010) the National General Council, the
policy arm of the Progressive Liberal Party, ratified two sitting
Members of Parliament, one former parliamentarian and two political new
comers to be the party’s standard bearers in the upcoming General
Elections.