My friends,
Very often in life, we say goodbye. Sometimes it’s a brief parting, and other times, like today, it’s a farewell that feels final. But even as we say goodbye to Naomi Ruth Seymour, I find comfort in knowing that her spirit, her lessons, and her legacy will never leave us.
Naomi’s passing has left a void, not just in her family, but in our national family. She was a woman who embodied strength, resilience, and a love for her community that was unwavering. She wasn’t just a respected figure; she was someone who lived her life with purpose, and her example is one we can all learn from.
Naomi’s journey as the eldest of nine children, raised in a tight-knit community on streets like South Street, Martin Street, and Market Street. She was a proud “Farm Road Girl,” and that sense of community, of looking out for each other, stayed with her throughout her life. Growing up, she learned that life wasn’t always easy, but if you worked hard, stayed true, and leaned on your faith, you could get through anything.
From a young age, Naomi knew she wanted to make a difference. She joined Sir Randol Fawkes in the labor movement when she was just 16. She learned how to hold her ground, how to speak up, and how to make sure her voice was heard, even when others tried to talk over her. Those were lessons that would serve her well for the rest of her life.
But what stands out most about Naomi’s journey isn’t just her work or her activism—it’s the way she lived every single day, with a kind of grace and determination that was inspiring to see.
She was a young mother of nine, widowed early in her first marriage, and when her partner Cedric Laing suffered a debilitating stroke, she had to take on the role of provider for her family.
It was not an easy life, but Naomi was not one to complain. She found strength in her faith, and she found purpose in her role as a mother. Her children were her world, and she worked tirelessly to make sure they had everything they needed.
In 1973, Naomi moved her family to Freeport, Grand Bahama, and set up her stall at the Bahamas Princess Straw Market. This was where Naomi truly shined. She wasn’t just a straw vendor; she was a leader.
As President of the Straw Vendors Association, she fought tirelessly to make sure the vendors could own their stalls. She understood that ownership meant more than just having a place to work—it meant dignity, security, and a future. Because of her, so many families were able to stand a little taller, knowing they had something solid to build on.
Naomi’s political journey was something truly special. She started out as a proud member of the Progressive Liberal Party, standing with Sir Lynden Pindling, but later joined the Free National Movement, working closely with Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield.
Her transition to the FNM wasn’t about changing sides; it was about standing up for what she believed was right. She showed us that even when we see the world differently, we can still be united in our love for this country. We could debate, we could disagree, but at the end of the day, Naomi always reminded us that we’re all Bahamians, and we all want the best for our people.
Now, I can’t talk about Naomi’s political journey without making a little joke about her son, Zhivargo Laing. She’d often tease about how he picked up his political instincts from watching her. “Brave,” she’d say, “my boy’s got a bit of my tenacity, so you better keep an eye on him.” It was all in good fun, but there was truth to it—Zhivargo’s strength and dedication are a testament to the lessons he learned from his mother. Luckily for me, he and I never ran against each other. If we had, I’m sure Naomi would have had a good laugh, watching from the sidelines.
From the straw market to the highest halls of government, Naomi Seymour was a worthy Bahamian. She lived her life with dignity and purpose, and she never forgot who she was or where she came from.
Whether she was crafting beautiful straw hats or advocating for policies in the Senate, she did it all with the same care, commitment, and passion. Naomi’s journey reminds us that no matter where we start, with hard work and dedication, we can reach great heights.
When the FNM won the 1992 election, Naomi was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. It was a proud moment, but it didn’t change who she was. She saw it as another way to serve, another chance to lift people up. She’d often speak of the Poinciana tree that Sir Cecil gave her, which grew into the shape of a “V.” She said it stood for “victory,” but I believe it was also a symbol of her resilience, her growth, and the hope she carried within her.
Even as her health declined, Naomi remained active, engaged, and full of hope. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2004, but she didn’t let that stop her. She faced her challenges with the same grace and strength that she carried throughout her life.
Naomi left us on September 20, 2024, and there’s an emptiness in our hearts. But her story is far from over. Her legacy lives on, not just in her family, but in every person she helped, every life she touched, and every lesson she taught. She showed us that strength doesn’t come from power, but from purpose. That love for community, for family, for country is what truly binds us together.
To Naomi’s children, grandchildren, and loved ones, my deepest condolences. I know this is a difficult time, but I hope you find peace in knowing that Naomi’s legacy is alive and well. It lives in the vendors who set up their stalls each day, in the children who look up to her example, and in every person who was lucky enough to know her.
Naomi, thank you. Thank you for your service, your kindness, and your example. You’ve shown us that we can stand on different sides of the political spectrum and still come together as one nation.
You’ve shown us that a life well-lived isn’t about what you take, but what you give. Rest in peace, my friend. We will carry your spirit with us, and we will do our best to live up to the example you set.